Han Xuanji actually did not know much about the matters of the Primeval Era.
But the Heavenly Emperor was a figure who had cultivated since the Primeval Era, and he wanted to see what the other party thought.
Hearing Han Xuanji's question, the Heavenly Emperor's consciousness pondered slightly, as if memories spanning ten thousand ages surged into his mind.
He remained silent for a moment before speaking:
"How do I view it?"
The Heavenly Emperor's voice carried an undisguised severity,
"Fellow Daoist Han, do you know what the Immortal Realm was like in the Primeval Era before the Heavenly Court was established?"
He did not wait for Han Xuanji to answer, but continued speaking, as if reminiscing about a period too painful to recall:
"At that time, the heavens and earth had not long been created, the rules were Chaos, and ten thousand races rose together.
Especially those Strange Species of Heaven and Earth that inherited Innate Luck. They were born powerful, commanded the Origin authority, could move stars and change constellations at will, swallow the heavens and earth, and regarded all spirits as ants and blood sacrifices."
The Heavenly Emperor's voice grew colder: "The Human Race and many other later races were merely weak and humble existences at that time, living precariously. They could only rely on certain relatively gentle, powerful beings, revering them as 'Totems' or Sacred Beasts, offering sacrifices and worship in exchange for meager protection, but were effectively slaves and servants whose lives were not their own."
Hearing the Heavenly Emperor's words, Han Xuanji also envisioned a savage era where the weak were prey to the strong, devoid of rules, and where everything was dominated only by power and instinct.
The Heavenly Emperor then continued:
"At that time, the Immortal Ancestor was absent. The Twelve Ancestral Witches manipulated earth, water, fire, wind, space, and time, summoning wind and rain, calling forth thunder and lightning. Tribes fought amongst themselves, often shattering mountains and rivers; there were also Primeval Star Gods who used stars as chess pieces and the fate of living beings as a game, bringing down calamities when they pleased; Nine Nether Evil Spirits devoured souls and spread plague and death; and many Chaos Beings mixed into the Immortal Realm, each occupying a territory, conquering and devouring one another... The land of the Immortal Realm knew no peace, ten thousand spirits wailed, and the world was filled with the aura of tyranny and Chaos."
"The Dao Ancestor rose up in that very era."
The Heavenly Emperor's tone shifted to reverence, filled with respect for the Dao Ancestor:
"He inherited the legacy of the Immortal Ancestor, pioneered the Immortal Dao, enlightened all living things, and, by his own power, cleansed the demons and organized the Heavenly Dao.
As for the most powerful and ferocious batch of Primeval existences—those who acted recklessly, brought disaster to the heavens and earth, were stubborn, and could not be enlightened—the Dao Ancestor did not completely annihilate them. Instead, using supreme Divine Ability, he defeated them one by one and banished them to the Reincarnation Purgatory, utilizing the power of Reincarnation and the River of Time to constantly wear down their ferocity."
"Since then, the Immortal Realm gradually gained order, the ten thousand races were able to recuperate, and Acquired beings like the Human Race gained the opportunity to rise.
The establishment of the Heavenly Court, the promulgation of laws, the regulation of Yin and Yang, and the protection of the common people were all based on this foundation."
The Heavenly Emperor's voice carried an undeniable firmness, "Those suppressed existences are the 'residual poison' of the last chaotic era, a chronic ailment the Dao Ancestor left for later generations to slowly resolve. Their very existence is the greatest potential threat to the current order."
It seemed the Heavenly Emperor must have been very weak and oppressed back then.
Han Xuanji couldn't help but secretly think this. It was the first time he had seen the Heavenly Emperor reveal such emotion.
Now that the Heavenly Emperor was in power, he probably wouldn't be as "benevolent" as the Dao Ancestor.
"This disturbance in the Reincarnation Purgatory is most likely the work of the Demon Ancestor."
The Heavenly Emperor seemed to realize he had lost his composure and returned to his usual steady manner.
"Mm, Fellow Daoist Heavenly Emperor is right."
Han Xuanji nodded, affirming:
"With the Lord of Greed defeated, how could the Demon Ancestor possibly let the matter rest?"
Putting himself in the Demon Ancestor's shoes, he wouldn't give up either, but would try every means to interfere with the current situation.
Hearing this, the Heavenly Emperor analyzed:
"I suspect he is enticing or even helping the Powerful Experts within to Breakthrough the Seal, causing Chaos in the Nine Nethers, destabilizing Reincarnation, thereby distracting us and creating an opportunity for his next move."
Han Xuanji listened quietly, analyzing rapidly in his heart. The Demon Ancestor's move likely clarified a few things. For example, Han Xuanji was not entirely on the Heavenly Emperor's side.
And the Heavenly Emperor, afraid that Han Xuanji might defect, had been constantly emphasizing the danger posed by these ancient existences. Han Xuanji naturally had his own thoughts and did not fully believe him.
The Heavenly Emperor spoke in a consultative tone:
"The Demon Ancestor's actions are unpredictable and treacherous. Today he can secretly guide the Purgatory disturbance; tomorrow, he might extend his hand to other areas of concern for Fellow Daoists.
Rather than waiting for him to grow stronger and press closer step by step, it is better to strike while his conspiracy is just emerging. Let us join forces, sever his hidden hand, and settle the matter once and for all, saving us much trouble in the future."
Han Xuanji slowly spoke, his tone calm:
"The Demon Ancestor is insidious and certainly needs guarding against. If the matter of the Reincarnation Purgatory is truly a part of his conspiracy, as Fellow Daoist Heavenly Emperor says, ignoring it risks raising a tiger that will cause trouble later."
Han Xuanji then pondered slightly and asked:
"What is the strength of the Strongest Expert in the Reincarnation Purgatory?"
If the ancient existences in the Reincarnation Purgatory were truly utilized by the Demon Ancestor, it would indeed be troublesome.
Given the Demon Ancestor's nature, having suffered such a great loss, he would definitely not let the matter rest.
Today he can secretly stir up Reincarnation; tomorrow, he might try to destroy the chaos heaven gate, or target his Disciples, or even strike at him.
More importantly, Han Xuanji himself disliked the feeling of being secretly plotted against and having to react passively.
"At the very least, they are in the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm... However, there is one thing Fellow Daoist might not know: this Reincarnation Purgatory was not established by the Dao Ancestor. The reason I want to join forces with Fellow Daoist is because there is an extremely terrifying existence within the Reincarnation Purgatory."
The Heavenly Emperor suddenly spoke seriously, revealing a secret.
"I would like to hear the details."
Han Xuanji's heart stirred; as expected, it was not that simple.
If they were only some Primordial Chaos existences, it probably wouldn't make the Heavenly Emperor discuss the matter with him so seriously.
"I actually don't know the full details, but I learned from Teacher Dao Ancestor that there is actually a Chaos Ultimate Fiend in the Reincarnation Purgatory, who was a great enemy of the Immortal Ancestor when he established the Immortal Realm."
The Heavenly Emperor said solemnly, a strange look flickering in his eyes.
Han Xuanji's expression shifted slightly. A Chaos Ultimate Fiend, a great enemy of the Immortal Ancestor?
Hmm?
Hearing this, Han Xuanji immediately became interested. Isn't this an excellent Sign-In location?
Han Xuanji spoke:
"Since that is the case, I will also pay attention to this matter. What are your specific plans, Fellow Daoist?"
Seeing that Han Xuanji seemed interested, a hint of undetectable joy flashed in the Heavenly Emperor's eyes, thinking his words had swayed Han Xuanji.
"Fellow Daoist is righteous and truly cares about the world."
He lightly tapped the Void Realm with his finger, and immediately a phantom scroll appeared. Light and shadow flowed within it, faintly revealing the scene deep within the Nine Nethers.
"The Reincarnation Purgatory is divided into nine layers. The deeper you go, the more ancient and ferocious the suppressed existences are."
The Heavenly Emperor pointed to the area at the very bottom of the scroll, which had almost turned into pure darkness,
"That Chaos Ultimate Fiend is Sealed in the ninth layer, the 'Return to the Ruins Realm.'
According to my Teacher, this fiend was a great enemy the Immortal Ancestor encountered in Chaos, and was naturally Limitless Primordial.
In the past, the Immortal Ancestor fought fiercely with it for a long time, and finally managed to strike its true spirit into the deepest part of the Reincarnation Purgatory, using the 'chaos prison suppressing stele' left behind by the Immortal Ancestor as the core, cooperating with the power of Reincarnation to wear it down day and night."