Han Xuanji's mind stirred slightly, but he did not resist.
A clear light screen condensed before him. Within it, the figure of the Heavenly Emperor appeared, looking majestic and middle-aged.
"Fellow Daoist Xuantian."
The Heavenly Emperor's voice rang out, calm and direct. It lacked the majesty and solemnity of the Lingxiao Palace, possessing more of the sincerity found between fellow cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Heavenly Emperor."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his expression indifferent, not at all surprised by this contact. He wasn't flustered, but the Heavenly Emperor might truly be a bit panicked. According to the script the Heavenly Emperor had envisioned, if the Demon Ancestor came knocking, he would simply perish together with the opponent and escape through a fake death.
Then, having preserved his reputation, the subsequent mess would be left for him to clean up.
Unfortunately, the Demon Ancestor was no saint either.
"The matters at the border have temporarily subsided. I must trouble Your Majesty's Emperors and several Fellow Daoists."
Han Xuanji's voice was ethereal.
The Heavenly Emperor's light projection fluctuated slightly:
"Fellow Daoist, you must have already discerned the background of the attacker this time."
"The Lord of Greed, Tao."
(T/N: Don't know what the original author meant here by Tao, could be the name of the Lord of Greed, it could also just be Tao as in Dao)
The Heavenly Emperor didn't wait for Han Xuanji to speak before uttering the name, his tone tinged with helplessness:
"The Demon Ancestor was certainly willing to pay a high price to invite such an 'evil guest'."
"An evil guest at the door, but they may not be of one mind."
Han Xuanji said calmly.
He didn't believe the Demon Ancestor and the Lord of Greed would cooperate honestly. If it were truly that simple, the Immortal Realm would have likely perished long ago.
Then, Han Xuanji asked:
"Does Fellow Daoist Heavenly Emperor have a solution? Could it be that the Dao Venerables of the Immortal Realm no longer care for its survival?"
There weren't so many variables in the simulation; he was somewhat curious about what plan the Heavenly Emperor had.
The Heavenly Emperor sighed softly and then said:
"Fellow Daoist, there are things you do not know."
Han Xuanji remained noncommittal, waiting for him to continue.
The scene in the light screen began to change, no longer limited to the Immortal Realm but manifesting the blurry outline of the endless Chaos. Within it were scattered specks of starlight, each representing a world or domain of varying size, but more prevalent were the deep, lightless darkness and chaotic vortices.
"The Immortal Realm, within the endless Chaos, is not a place of eternal peace."
The Heavenly Emperor's voice grew low,
"When the Immortal Ancestor created the world back then, his creations were infinite. Leaving behind such a foundation certainly blessed ten thousand generations, but it is also like a child carrying gold through a busy market.
In the Chaos, there are many who covet it."
"The Demon Ancestor or the Lord of Greed are but one of them. Though their names are infamous, they are not the most ancient or terrifying."
The Heavenly Emperor's light projection pointed toward several areas of absolute darkness deep within the Chaos that seemed capable of swallowing even starlight.
"This Dark Forbidden Zone was opened by the Darkness Forbidden Master. His very existence is a symbol of the original 'nothingness' and 'darkness'. He is silent while sleeping, but once he awakens, it is a harbinger of the end of an era. Wherever he passes, the myriad Daos fall silent, and light ceases to exist."
"There is also the 'Primal Calamity Master', who symbolizes the calamity of 'formation, existence, destruction, and void' within the Chaos. His body is the calamity, and his movements are disasters. His form is indescribable, often moving with the tides of Chaos. Wherever he goes, the birth and death of worlds accelerate, Karma becomes disordered, and tribulations arise spontaneously, making him impossible to guard against. When the Immortal Ancestor was present, he once had a brief confrontation with him and could not claim victory."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji's eyes narrowed slightly.
Even for him, some of these titles were only briefly mentioned in the ancient legacies he had obtained, but they were far from being as clear and heavy as the Heavenly Emperor's description.
"Furthermore, there are other ancient Fiendgods or strange existences from other Chaos, none of whom are benevolent."
The Heavenly Emperor continued, seemingly having found a long-overdue outlet for his thoughts:
"Although the Immortal Realm has given birth to Dao Venerables such as Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, who certainly possess infinite Divine Abilities, their respective Great Daos have long since extended into the depths of Chaos. Their opponents and entanglements likewise span across the myriad heavens and worlds... and then there is my Master, the Dao Ancestor of the Immortal Realm."
At the mention of the Dao Ancestor, the Heavenly Emperor's light projection clearly revealed complex emotions.
"In pursuit of transcending Chaos and validating the Supreme Great Dao, Master long ago left this Chaos to explore the deeper and more unknowable 'Hongmeng Sea'.
Before his departure, he said that the calamities of the Immortal Realm must be faced and resolved by us ourselves, as this is also a form of cultivation.
Unless it is a true matter of life and death or a desperate situation where the Great Dao is overturned, we must not easily call him back. Otherwise, all previous efforts would be wasted, and it might even attract the gaze of unknown existences in the Hongmeng Sea, with unpredictable consequences."
Han Xuanji understood.
No wonder the tracks of the several Dao Venerables were so ethereal. It turned out they not only had to deal with opponents in the Chaos but also, due to the Dao Ancestor's departure, had to take on heavier responsibilities, their gaze no longer limited to a single corner of the Immortal Realm.
And with the Heavenly Emperor presiding over the Immortal Realm, the pressure he bore was actually not small. Moreover, the Immortal Realm was ultimately a world created by the Immortal Ancestor, and the Heavenly Emperor had his own selfish motives; he did not want to spend his entire life consumed by the Immortal Realm.
"Entrusted by my Master, I have presided over the Immortal Realm, harmonizing Yin and Yang and regulating the Heavenly Dao for countless eras."
The Heavenly Emperor's voice carried a trace of imperceptible fatigue and determination,
"However, the Great Dao is infinite, and I too have my pursuits. This calamity is a danger to the Immortal Realm, but for me... it might also be an Opportunity to break free from my shackles and pursue my own path."
Having said this, the Heavenly Emperor also bared his heart.
He looked at Han Xuanji:
"The survival of all living beings in the Immortal Realm, and even the safety of this world's Origin..."
The Heavenly Emperor gave Han Xuanji a deep "look",
"...requires you, Fellow Daoist, to also contribute your strength."
These words could be said to carry the weight of a thousand tons, equivalent to entrusting half of the Immortal Realm's sky to Han Xuanji!
"Why do you trust me so much, Fellow Daoist?"
Han Xuanji did not immediately agree, but instead asked,
"Are you not afraid that I will leave the Immortal Realm and live a life of leisure?"
"Furthermore, I have only just entered the Limitless Realm and yet must face such a great demon; you truly think highly of me."
The Heavenly Emperor said meaningfully and calmly:
"I cannot see through you, and neither can the Taishang Dao Venerable... The Demon Ancestor must also be wary of you, which is why he invited the Lord of Greed."
"The Dao Ancestor once said that a 'variable' would be born in later generations, influencing the Immortal Realm and even the Chaos..."
The Heavenly Emperor paused slightly, then seemed to confirm his own guess:
"I personally believe that you, Fellow Daoist, are that variable."
Han Xuanji nodded and said no more.
The Heavenly Emperor had spoken to such an extent that they now shared a tacit understanding.
"As for the Lord of Greed and his subordinates, I will order the Heavenly Court to do its best to deal with them, restraining his Incarnations and minions.
If his true body forcibly descends..."
"I will need to rely on your strength. When to strike and how to strike, you may decide for yourself."
"Furthermore, the Chaos does not only contain enemies. If other existences move because of you or because of the manifestation of the calamity, whether they are friend or foe is for you to distinguish yourself. This is a calamity, but it is also an Opportunity."
With those words, the light screen dissipated, and the Heavenly Emperor's consciousness withdrew.