The Void Emperor has returned!
The Four Domains shook. Countless people cheered.
Billions of beings struggling to survive in these end times — the return of the Void Great Emperor undoubtedly brought them new hope.
Deep within Lingxiao Palace, the Dragon Clan Grand Elder Zhu Yan and Second Elder Fu Chun slowly opened their eyes. The two were husband and wife, having suffered devastating injuries during their ancient battle against the Great Demon God. Even after all these years, even with their Dragon Clan bodies, they could not fully heal. For decades they had been combining their efforts to recover.
Now, meeting each other's gaze, they both saw the joy reflected in the other's eyes.
On Spirit Beast Island in the Eastern Domain, the Beast Martial Great Emperor Mo Huang chuckled softly. "He's finally back!"
With that, he rose and swept his great hand. The palace doors, sealed for decades, rumbled open. Mo Xiaoqi stood outside, looking at him with surprise and joy. "Father, is Brother Yang back? I think I just heard his voice!"
Mo Huang's face immediately fell. He said miserably, "Your father has been in seclusion healing for nearly seventy years, and you don't even ask how I'm doing? All you care about is your Brother Yang — what kind of logic is that?"
Mo Xiaoqi's face reddened slightly. She fidgeted and asked, "Father, how are your injuries?"
Mo Huang sighed. "At least I won't die for now…"
Mo Xiaoqi had already grabbed his arm. "Then hurry and take me to Lingxiao Palace…"
Mo Huang grunted. The injuries he had barely stabilized nearly flared up again. He felt a mouthful of old blood churning in his chest, his heart filled with grief and indignation. "Surnamed Yang — I will never forgive you!"
Sensing that her father's expression was off, Mo Xiaoqi quickly said, "Father, don't misunderstand. Brother Yang might have some miraculous healing medicine. I'm just worried about your injuries…"
Mo Huang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Alright, alright, stop explaining. I was planning to go find him and ask about the situation anyway."
Mo Xiaoqi immediately cheered.
In the Nethersoul Palace, the Nethersoul Great Emperor also slowly walked out from his seclusion. Outside the hall, Yao Si and many Nethersoul Palace powerhouses had long been waiting. Seeing the Great Emperor's countenance, they all bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Palace Master!"
Yao Jun nodded, first patting Yao Si's shoulder. "You've done well these years." Though he had been in seclusion for years, he was far from ignorant of the outside world.
Yao Si replied calmly, unperturbed by favor or disgrace. "It is my duty." Though he was the Great Emperor's son and had possessed a rebellious streak in his youth, he had been won over by Yang Kai during the war between the Two Realms. He had taken on the role of commander of the Ji Zi Army, leading it against the Demon Race forces, and had grown enormously through the experience. During these years of Yao Jun's seclusion, Yao Si had managed the entire Nethersoul Palace in an orderly fashion. The Eastern Domain had also suffered fewer losses thanks to the Nethersoul Palace's presence.
"The Void Emperor has returned. Come, follow me to see him!" Yao Jun called out.
Yao Si acknowledged and followed closely behind his father.
At Heavenly Mystery Valley, the Heavenly Mystery Great Emperor gazed at the three ancient tortoise shells before him and laughed heartily. "Excellent divination, excellent divination! The Star Realm will find life amid certain death — a great joyous event!"
Gao Zhan stood behind him, equally delighted. "Master, you mean that when Lord Void returns this time, he can solve the Star Realm's crisis?" His eyes were white, born unable to see, but he was the ideal candidate to inherit the Heavenly Mystery Great Emperor's legacy. Thus, from a very young age, the Heavenly Mystery Great Emperor had taken him as a disciple and taught him the ways of Heavenly Mystery.
"Ninety-eight percent certain." Chu Tianji chuckled, rising to his feet. "Let's go — to Lingxiao Palace."
At Yaodan Valley, Miao Dan Great Emperor set out with several disciples.
At Iron Blood Fortress, Iron Blood Great Emperor departed with Lin Yun'er.
Also, the Red Dust Great Emperor who had been stationed at the Qingyang Divine Hall, the Flower Shadow Great Emperor of Wanhua Valley, and the Ice Feather Great Emperor of Yixiantian.
Almost simultaneously, the various Great Emperors who had been in seclusion for decades emerged and headed north to Lingxiao Palace.
Not only them — the Sacred Venerables Luan Feng, Fan Wu, Cang Gou, and others from the Primordial Ancient Lands of the Eastern Domain; Bingyun, Valley Master of Ice Heart Valley in the Northern Domain; Sheng Yuzhu of the Luocha Gate; and many other powerhouses who had ties to Yang Kai — all set out, their destination: Lingxiao Palace.
The powers of the Four Domains, like ten thousand rivers flowing into the sea.
"Welcome home, Palace Master!"
In Lingxiao Palace of the Northern Domain, tens of thousands of disciples, led by Chief Steward Hua Qingsi and Second Steward Bian Yuqing, clasped their fists in unison. Their voices shook the heavens. Every pair of eyes burned as they gazed at the figure descending from the sky, filled with deep reverence and admiration.
Yang Kai swept his gaze across the crowd. He saw his Grandmaster Ling Taixu, the founder Chu Lingxiao, those old companions who had journeyed with him from the Central World and the Dark Star, and his own parents — and Meng Wuya and Xia Ningshang.
His Senior Sister still wore her thin veil, but her delicate frame trembled uncontrollably. Her star-like eyes brimmed with tears. Had it not been for the occasion, she would have long since thrown herself at him.
Xue Yue stood beside her, gently pressing her red lips together, her beautiful eyes full of quiet resentment.
Yang Kai gave both of them a slight nod before turning to the others with a smile. "You've all worked hard these years. Is everything alright?" Though he had immediately sensed the condition of the entire Star Realm and knew that everyone must have had it rough, seeing so many familiar faces still brought him comfort.
Hua Qingsi replied, "Everything is fine. The Palace Master's concern is most kind."
Yang Kai nodded and stepped forward to his parents. With a guilty expression, he said, "Your son greets Father and Mother. For so many years I have failed to repay your grace of raising me, and have instead caused you both endless worry. Your son is unfilial."