"Human Emperor, your words are mistaken. The Celestial Destiny lies with you—no one can take your place."

Though these words descended from the high heavens, they were not grand or overwhelming, yet every citizen in the city, no matter who they were or what they were doing, heard them clearly.

One must know: the sheer size of this city was nothing short of extraordinary.

In an instant, figures burst forth from all directions, leaping across rooftops, converging toward the heights, their eyes already turning to where the voice had resounded.

And what shocked each and every one of them most deeply was this—

They beheld a figure—majestic, illusory—standing atop a great sword.

Clad in white jade robes, wielding a Jade Order, posture unwavering and straight.

That phantom continued to expand, as if it were a looming mountain range!

This was absolutely not something the Martial Arts could achieve!

Some were trembling all over, overwhelmed with excitement to the utmost.

"An Immortal! An Immortal has descended to the mortal realm!"

"Truly no mortal of this world!"

"Dharma Form manifest! This must be the legendary Immortal Dharma Image!"

"..."

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had also walked out of the grand hall together with his many ministers. Seeing the "three-dimensional projection" soaring straight into the clouds, his mouth fell wide open—he could hardly believe his eyes.

Some ministers were so agitated they fell to their knees.

Shouting praises to the Immortal!

This, precisely, was the main reason Xiao Gaoshan wished to make preliminary contact in such a form, with such an identity.

For ancient people—even those acquainted with Extraordinary Powers—their understanding was nevertheless limited.

Existences too complex, or too vastly beyond their imagination and comprehension, would very easily arouse their suspicion, requiring the expenditure of much time just on the first steps of initial contact.

In these circumstances, it was better to take on a form they were familiar with, to rapidly establish relations.

As for explanations, those would come later, after some familiarity was cultivated—then, gradually, the truth could emerge.

Just like now in the Martial Arts World.

The others in the Martial Arts World had already realized—their Emperor, this "Immortal," was vastly different from the Immortals they had first imagined or pictured.

But so what?

It in no way affected Martial Artist Shen Yu's status.

After all, strength and merit both were tangible.

So it was now.

With the vast Dharma Form behind him as backdrop, Xiao Gaoshan's true self stepped forward before the people.

"Your Majesty the Human Emperor, I represent the Immortal Court. I have come precisely to save this world."

"So it is truly an Immortal! Truly, an Immortal!" At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang too was so excited he could barely contain himself.

If, when the monsters had first appeared, someone in such a form had come before him, claiming to be an Immortal, his first reaction would certainly have been wariness.

But now—everything was utterly different!

Since those endless monsters appeared and the empire fell into ruin, he had resorted to grand ceremonies more than once, praying for aid from the heavens, yet received not the slightest reply.

Now, at this moment—never mind an Immortal—even if a demon king had come, as long as someone could save Great Ming, he would venerate them as an Immortal!

All the more as the other party addressed him as Human Emperor!

And what did this signify?

It meant the Immortal acknowledged his imperial throne!

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang even felt a trace of terror—a fear that this was all but a dream, or merely an illusion!

He truly had reached an impasse.

And so, Zhu Yuanzhang knelt to the ground at once.

He bowed deeply: "I, the Emperor of the Mortal World, pay my respects to the Immortal. May the Immortal bestow mercy, and save the people of Great Ming from fire and water!"

By the end, even a note of grief colored his voice!

Yet Xiao Gaoshan had already landed before him, floating lightly down from his sword, but sidestepped accepting this obeisance.

"Human Emperor, please rise at once. I am but a messenger, a Junior Immortal, unworthy of such worship from Your Majesty." He lifted a hand and gave a gentle wave; with an invisible Mage's Hand, he raised Zhu Yuanzhang to his feet. However, his expression then grew grave and he sighed, then spoke: "Your Majesty does not know—this vast calamity is not taking place in this realm alone."

Zhu Yuanzhang froze with surprise.

Somewhat blank, he stared in confusion at the poised and solemn, yet unusually approachable, "Immortal" before him.

"Please look, Your Majesty." Xiao Gaoshan pointed with upraised hand; a projection instantly appeared before them again.

What played out were scenes from other Parallel Universes.

In the images, all manner of monsters could be clearly seen rampaging wildly across the lands, and within the cities, terrified people fled in panic—only to be wantonly slaughtered by the monsters.

In one world, even larger, more grotesque monsters existed—before them, mortals were as ants.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened round.

Though he was somewhat stunned by high-rise buildings he had never seen before, what truly shocked him were the various, utterly terrifying monsters.

Such monsters—were they to appear in his Great Ming—even the highest walls would be utterly useless.

Great Ming, he feared, would not have survived to this point at all.

The other ministers, too, were terrified beyond words.

Yet, in their hearts, they were now eight or nine parts convinced by this "Immortal."

Both the earlier appearance and the scenes shown now shattered their understanding—yet somehow still felt logical.

"How could this be?" Zhu Yuanzhang's face grew even more forlorn. Looking at the Immortal before him, he instinctively repeated, "How could it come to this!"

"We have yet to uncover the source of this Great Calamity." Xiao Gaoshan shook his head, his expression severe. "However, even if we cannot strike at the root, we are exhausting every effort to save all worlds. Your Majesty, as the Human Emperor of this realm, you must cooperate fully—only then can we save the world together."

"The Immortal speaks the utmost truth!" By now, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer wished to concern himself with anything else.

If what the other said was true, then none of this was within his own power to handle.

Except to put his faith in the Immortal before him—there was no other option.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression grew increasingly eager.

"Whatever orders the Immortal may give, I shall obey without question!"

"Good." Xiao Gaoshan knew—the task was now essentially complete.

He was but a messenger, come to initiate the first contact and explain a little.

Yet recalling some of what he'd just heard and discovered, Xiao Gaoshan had received another task from those behind the scenes.

"Your Majesty, I am here merely as a messenger. Soon, a Great Immortal will descend and arrive to continue; but just now, I heard talk that your imperial grandson seems to be in some peril?" Xiao Gaoshan's tone shifted, no longer mentioning the monsters, but asking after the Imperial Grandson instead.

Zhu Yuanzhang's previous words—he had heard them all.

And swiftly reported them back.

This instantly attracted the highest attention of certain experts in the background.

The reason was simple.

They already knew what year, month, and day it was now.

The thirteenth day of the fourth month, in the fifteenth year of Hongwu.

In history, Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial grandson, Zhu Xiongying, died precisely on the first day of the fifth month this year.

But here's the problem: how could the history of Parallel Universe One and the "future" of this world possibly be identical?

This is, after all, a world possessing Extraordinary Power!

In Parallel Universe One, without Extraordinary Power, ancient people lived short lives, prone to diseases and all manner of accidents.

However, in this parallel universe with Extraordinary Power, everything is completely different.

Take Zhu Yuanzhang in front of them as an example.

Xiao Gaoshan could clearly sense the true Power of this Hongwu Emperor.

By comparison, he would be little inferior—if at all—to the strongest Martial Arts Masters of today's Human Civilization.

With such Power, under normal circumstances, his lifespan would definitely exceed a hundred years.

This alone would cause history to unfold very differently.

The same was true for Zhu Xiongying.

Many historical illnesses, in this world, should not pose problems at all.

Yet even so, Zhu Xiongying was still facing trouble at this very time.

Why is that?

One word comes easily to mind: destiny!

This is their destiny!

So, this is not simply a matter of Zhu Xiongying's life and death—instead, a thorough investigation is required, perhaps even into the history of this entire world.

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