Lingxu Immortal Domain, Jiufang City.
Lu Fan hovered in mid-air, his green robe soaked with Devilish Blood.
He had just endured a fierce battle; beneath him lay the shattered corpses of three Demon Generals. The surviving Human Race within the city looked up at him from the ruins, their eyes, having escaped calamity, filled with almost fervent gratitude.
He circulated the Xuantian Chaos Primordial Scripture, and streams of Chaos Qi flowed around him, rapidly mending his injuries.
This excursion was originally to solidify the Great Dao imparted by Han Xuanji and to eradicate several demonic lairs that plagued the region. He hadn't expected to encounter an elite Demon Race squad here.
Just as he was preparing to leave, spatial fluctuations suddenly emanated from the horizon.
Three Qi, ten times more powerful than the previous Demon Generals, descended abruptly. The leader was clad in dark red bone armor and wielded a demonic saber entwined with wailing resentful souls.
"To be able to slay three of my subordinates, you possess some skill."
The Demon General sneered, brandishing his demonic saber, and the sky for a thousand miles instantly turned blood red.
"But this is where it ends!"
Lu Fan's pupils contracted. This was actually a Demon Race General comparable to a Late Stage Profound Immortal; he was no match for him.
However, gazing at the terrified and helpless commoners in the ruined city behind him, his grip on his sword tightened even further.
As a Lingxu Heavenly Palace Disciple, he couldn't simply flee. That would bring shame upon his Sect and his Master.
Without hesitation, he unleashed his full power. Amidst a roar, a hazy Sword Qi surged forth.
This sword was a top-grade Immortal Sword bestowed by Han Xuanji, of extraordinary quality. However, the disparity in Realms was too great, making it incredibly difficult to parry.
In a critical moment, he roared loudly, urging the survivors in the city to flee quickly.
"Overestimating yourself!"
The Demon General sneered, his demonic patterns lighting up as his body swelled, and the second strike was already descending.
This strike was even more terrifying. Before the blood-red saber light even arrived, the chilling killing intent nearly froze the entire city.
Lu Fan's tiger's mouth split open, his Immortal Sword wailed, and his body flew backward, crashing heavily into a distant city wall.
He forcefully drew a breath, ascended again, and set up layers of defense around himself, but blood continuously seeped from the corners of his mouth.
A white-haired, ancient Cultivator spoke, his voice hoarse but firm:
"Everyone! Are we just going to watch our benefactor die for us? I have cultivated for thousands of years, and today I am willing to use this decaying body to repay this kindness!"
"Count me in!"
A burly man mended his broken arm, picked up a long saber, his eyes burning with resolve.
"And me!"
"I'll go too!"
In an instant, countless figures struggled to their feet amidst the ruins.
Their cultivation was low; most were merely Earth Immortals, True Immortals, and there were even ordinary beings who hadn't entered the Immortal Dao.
But at this moment, there was no fear in their eyes, only the resolute determination to live and die with Lu Fan.
Waves of unyielding will rose from them, converging into a vast golden torrent that surged towards the blood-stained figure in the sky.
The Demon General, who was about to deliver a fatal blow to Lu Fan, suddenly paused, looking down with surprise.
He sensed a strange power condensing, a power that wasn't strong but greatly disgusted him.
"This is... the Power Of Will of humanity?"
The Profound Immortal Demon General was startled and uncertain.
Lu Fan himself was stunned.
A sudden inspiration struck him. He no longer simply activated his magical power but immersed his mind in the resonance with these Powers Of Will.
"My Dao is not to only care for myself..."
He muttered softly, and the Xuantian Chaos Primordial Scripture within him began to operate along an unprecedented trajectory.
His eyes seemed to ignite with flames, somewhat like the ancient lamps of civilization, reflecting the myriad lights of homes.
His body seemed to become a vessel carrying the Power Of Will of all living beings.
"Slay!"
Lu Fan pointed his fingers like a sword, thrusting forward.
This time, there was no sharp Sword Qi, only a vast golden ocean, formed by the prayers of countless beings, surging forward.
The Profound Immortal Demon General's expression changed drastically. Devilish Qi surged wildly around him, but it appeared incredibly small before the golden ocean.
"No!!!"
Amidst the unwilling roar of the Demon Commander, the golden Power Of Will completely engulfed him.
At the same time, a clear bell chime suddenly echoed from the Nine Heavens.
Two figures clad in dark sacrificial robes broke through the clouds, their Human Emperor Palace tokens hanging from their waists shining brightly.
The elderly man at the head stared intently at the golden Power Of Will still not fully retracted around Lu Fan, his voice trembling with disbelief:
"The spontaneous protection from the prayers of ten thousand people, the active accompaniment of the flame of civilization... This is an anomaly that can only be triggered by someone truly blessed with the great Luck of the Human Race!"
His companion beside him was even more uncontrollably excited:
"We've searched for so long... The ninth Human Emperor Candidate is actually here!"
The two envoys exchanged glances, then simultaneously bowed to Lu Fan, their tone more solemn than ever:
"Heavenly Patrol Envoys of the Human Emperor Palace, respectfully invite Fellow Daoist — to inherit the Human Emperor's position and protect our Human Race for eternal prosperity!"
"Ah?"
Lu Fan was greatly alarmed.
The Human Emperor, could he really be that?
He was no longer the greenhorn who had just entered the Immortal Realm; he now understood the weight of those two words!
Upon learning of his potential to become the Human Emperor, Lu Fan was naturally moved.
If he could become the Human Emperor, he felt he wouldn't shame Han Xuanji either... Myriad Phenomena Garden.
Lu Fan returned, but the news of him becoming a Human Emperor Candidate had not spread.
The two Heavenly Patrol Envoys allowed him to handle his affairs first before going to the Human Emperor Palace.
Everyone in the garden was still cultivating or chatting. Su Ming was arguing with Jiang Hao about a certain Move, Li Taiqing was caressing his sword under a tree, and Nangong Wenjian was meditating nearby.
Seeing Lu Fan return, Su Ming was the first to look up. Before he could utter a teasing remark, he keenly noticed the unusual expression on Lu Fan's face.
"Junior Brother Lu, what's wrong?"
Li Taiqing sheathed his sword and stood up, asking with concern.
Lu Fan opened his mouth, but his gaze involuntarily turned towards Han Xuanji's secluded cultivation place.
He knew that nothing could be hidden from Han Xuanji.
Sure enough, not long after, Han Xuanji's calm voice emerged: "Everyone, come in."
Everyone gathered in the small courtyard.
Lu Fan stood in the center, took a deep breath, and recounted everything that had happened in Jiufang City, the appearance of the two Human Emperor Palace Heavenly Patrol Envoys, his destiny as a Human Emperor, and his confirmation as the ninth candidate.
The room fell silent. Su Ming closed his folding fan, Jiang Hao's eyes widened, and Li Taiqing and Nangong Wenjian exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
After Lu Fan finished speaking, he lowered his head, his hands nervously clasped in front of him, not daring to look at Han Xuanji's expression.
He felt uneasy, fearing that his recent excursion, first encountering danger and then getting entangled in the Human Emperor's struggle, might make Han Xuanji think he was causing trouble. Even more, he feared Han Xuanji might stop him due to concerns about the perilous path ahead, or even... be disappointed in him.
"Mm."
Han Xuanji merely nodded upon hearing this, a trace of understanding flashing in his eyes, without much surprise.
Lu Fan looked up in astonishment, only to see no trace of blame in Han Xuanji's eyes, but rather a hint of faint relief.
"Master... You don't blame me? And... you won't stop me?"
Lu Fan whispered.
"Haven't you already made your decision?"
"The path of the Human Emperor is fraught with thorns, both an Opportunity and a calamity. How far you can go depends on your own good fortune."
Han Xuanji said calmly.
Human Emperor Palace, don't mistreat my Disciple.
If Lu Fan were to suddenly die, he wouldn't feel good about it.
However, perhaps he could simulate the other party's future?