"Look, it's Emperor Hao!"

"His Majesty Emperor Hao has come!"

"Emperor Hao and the Azure Emperor... The two brothers are finally going to meet!"

"Haha, to witness the reunion of the two emperors with my own eyes... this is a blessing of three lifetimes!"

"It would be even better if Emperor Xian were here, too."

"..."

Watching the roots twist like a giant python, the Upper Realm Cultivators gathered in the valley all cheered and chattered excitedly.

As time passed, the roots transformed in midair into a tall male figure.

From a distance, Luo Xiu looked up, his gaze trembling involuntarily.

The man clad in magnificent robes, regal and commanding yet touched with a hint of scholarly grace... Is this truly my brother?

At that moment, Luo Hao also noticed Luo Xiu's presence. His heart sank, but his expression remained impassive.

The next instant, Luo Hao appeared before Luo Xiu as if he had teleported.

His eyes brimming with tears of joy, he suddenly pulled Luo Xiu into a tight embrace.

"Thank goodness, Tian'er! You're still alive!"

"Tian'er, it was my fault. Back then in the Boundless Heavens... when I led the troops to your aid, we discovered you had already..."

Luo Xiu's body stiffened. He slowly raised his hands and placed them on Luo Hao's shoulders.

For a moment, his eyes grew misty against his will, blurring his vision.

Although he had no memories of the past, the bond of kinship made his iron-like heart feel fragile and tender.

"Brother..." He barely opened his mouth, hoarsely voicing the strange yet familiar word.

Luo Hao hugged him even tighter, laughing through his tears. "If Father, Mother, and our eldest sister knew you were alive, they would be overjoyed. Tian'er, come home with me!"

"..."

Luo Qianye, standing to the side, was already weeping uncontrollably as she watched the brothers embrace.

Many of the Upper Realm Cultivators in the valley were also moved to tears by the scene.

Somewhere in the crowd, Yan Daoling, who had remained hidden, smiled as he watched the two brothers embrace.

...

After a long while, the two brothers, Luo Hao and Luo Xiu, slowly parted.

Luo Xiu said, "I'm sorry, Brother, but I can't go home just yet. I still have things to do in the Lower Realm."

Hearing this, Luo Hao sighed. He looked up at the Array above the valley and said, "It's a pity there's so little time left. Otherwise, I'd really love to spend some proper time with you."

Luo Xiu smiled. "There will be plenty of time and opportunity for that when I come home in the future."

"That's true." Luo Hao's gaze was gentle as he reached out and ruffled Luo Xiu's hair. "Then I'll be waiting at home for your return."

Luo Xiu nodded.

Then, Luo Hao turned to Luo Qianye beside them and said with a smile, "Qian Ye, you stay in the Lower Realm and keep Tian'er company. I suppose you won't feel lonely now, will you?"

Luo Qianye nodded with a smile.

At this, Luo Xiu asked, "Are you taking those riff-raff from the Upper Realm who ran down here back with you too?"

Detecting the dissatisfaction in Luo Xiu's tone, Luo Hao patted his shoulder and replied with a smile, "It may displease you that people from the Upper Realm come to the Lower Realm to harvest, but Tian'er, you must understand something. This has been the law of heaven and earth since ancient times; it is the orthodox way of the heavens."

Luo Xiu remained noncommittal in response to Luo Hao's words.

He had always felt that this was a form of invasion—the strong preying on the weak. Although weakness itself was a transgression in this world where strength reigned supreme, this was not the world he desired.

Suddenly, Luo Qianye spoke up. "However, Your Majesty, Emperor Hao, there are two people you must leave behind."

"And who would they be?"

With a flick of her fair hand, Luo Qianye unleashed an invisible force that instantly locked onto the fleeing Hong Shizhang and Zhu Yu, dragging the master and disciple before her.

Hong Shizhang accepted his fate. Kneeling on the ground, he kowtowed heavily several times. "Your Majesty, it has come to this. This old man has nothing more to say! I know that any argument is useless now. This matter was entirely my doing, and it has nothing to do with Yu'er! If you don't believe me, you may investigate my soul's memories! If Your Majesty wishes to kill someone, then please kill only me. I implore you to spare Yu'er's life!"

Luo Hao lowered his gaze, pondering for a moment before suddenly speaking. "Qian Ye, you may keep Hong Shizhang and do with him as you please, but Zhu Yu must return to the Upper Realm with me."

Hearing this, Luo Qianye's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Why?"

Luo Hao replied, "Because Zhu Yu still has his uses." With a slight smile, he turned to Luo Xiu. "However, this still depends on Tian'er's wishes. If Tian'er wants them both dead, I will personally kill them."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu frowned slightly.

For some reason, being around Luo Hao made him uncomfortable. He always felt as if he were being manipulated.

But since Luo Hao had already made the offer, Luo Xiu felt it was not his place to object. Besides, he had little interest in the fate of the master and disciple.

"I don't really mind either way. Since Zhu Yu is still useful, just take him back with you."

"..."

A short while later, after Luo Hao and the contingent from the Upper Realm disappeared into the Array, Luo Xiu finally withdrew his gaze, turning to look at Hong Shizhang, who was still kneeling on the ground.

Luo Qianye suddenly reached out, placing her hand on Hong Shizhang's head and injecting a trace of eerie Spiritual Power.

Hong Shizhang clutched his own throat, his face turning pale. He collapsed to the ground, convulsing with his mouth agape, unable to even scream as he died a slow and agonizing death.

Luo Qianye didn't even deign to look at him. She took Luo Xiu's arm and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, where shall we go now?"

A light flickered in Luo Xiu's left eye as he opened a spatial portal to the Land of Lawlessness.

"Let's go back and rest for a bit. By the way... you should know Ying'er, right?"

Hearing this, Luo Qianye's eyes lit up. "You mean Sister Ying? Is she still ali—"

Luo Xiu smiled and nodded, cutting her off. "You'll see her very soon."

"..."

「Meanwhile.」

Inside a grand and majestic palace somewhere on the Lingtian Plateau.

Zhu Yu knelt before Luo Hao, his face as white as snow. His body trembled uncontrollably, as if he had been thrown naked into an ice cellar, chilled to the very bone.

He felt as if he were dreaming, unable to comprehend why Emperor Hao would save him.

In the silence, Luo Hao suddenly asked, "Are you willing to take me as your master and serve the Heaven Azure Empire from this day forward?"

Hearing this, Zhu Yu's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked up at the imposing man before him.

"You only have one chance."

"I am willing!" Without a second thought, Zhu Yu kowtowed deeply.

"Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"

A moment later, Luo Hao said to him, "Reach the Dao Jade Realm as soon as possible. When you do, I will arrange for Qing Xian to marry you."

Hearing Luo Hao's words, Zhu Yu felt as if he would faint from joy.

The happiness had come so suddenly that he completely forgot about Hong Shizhang, now dead back in the Lower Realm.

He had thought today would be the most tragic day of his life, but he never imagined it would turn out to be the happiest!

Not only have I taken Emperor Hao as my master, but I'm also going to marry the Plateau Saintess!

Luo Hao looked at Zhu Yu, sneering inwardly. "Go and rest for now. Come find me later."

After Zhu Yu departed, Luo Hao turned to look at the sky beyond the doorway, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

"Tian'er," he murmured, "we will meet again very soon."

"..."

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