Within a certain space between the Great Han Celestial Court and the Ancient Star Road.
"Some days ago, I sensed the aura of several powerful Human Race Heavenly Mandate Immortal Emperors flowing within this space."
"The Great Han Celestial Court has become powerful enough to obliterate me!" the Chaos Demon Ape declared. After a year, he had regained his original vitality, even surpassing his peak, controlling ninety-seven threads of Imperial Mandate!
This was a variable!
He had remained sealed in the Ancient Star Road for several epochs, sensing the aura and imperial markings of the Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun, which led to his breakthrough.
"Senior!"
Kunpeng Immortal Emperor stood up nervously. "Has the Great Han Celestial Court reached such a state? In such a short time?"
"The myriad realms of the Immortal Domain hold certain variables! The Great Han's current achievements are also among these variables," the Vermilion Bird calmly stated.
"The energy deep within the Emperor's Ruin is beyond what the three of us can fathom. Vermilion Bird, make a trip to the Great Han Celestial Court."
"Inform the Heavenly Emperor that we know everything. If he can indeed obliterate Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun and avenge Kunpeng Saint Emperor, I am willing to submit to the Great Han!" the Chaos Demon Ape said mournfully. He knew that even with his resurgence, he was still no match for Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun. The years spent within the Emperor's Ruin had likely pushed Luo Zun to the very limit of Immortal Emperor, not to mention the power hidden in the depths of the Buried Emperor Mountain, which he was unaware of.
"Yes!"
The Vermilion Bird rose, bowed slightly, and stepped into the chaos.
In the spatial interval, the Slaughter Emperor Army, formed after the annihilation of the four major powers, was constantly patrolling. Since its establishment, the army had no commander; it was entirely controlled by Heavenly Emperor Yang Hao, serving as a sharp sword and the dignified face of the Great Han Celestial Court.
For the past year, this spatial interval had been in a state of turbulence, only recently beginning to calm down slightly.
Yue Fei, holding a token, was temporarily commanding the Slaughter Emperor Army in their patrols. One day, he discovered a spatial region engulfed in flames, and saw the Vermilion Bird emerging from it. Sudan Novel Network.
"Yue Fei, Commander of the Great Han Celestial Court's White Tiger Legion!"
Yue Fei looked at the woman before him and bowed slightly.
"Commander Yue, please inform your superiors. Vermilion Bird requests an audience!"
The Vermilion Bird smiled faintly, looking at the man before her. She could not see through him. In just one year, the Great Han had become vastly different.
One day later.
In the Xuanzheng Hall of the Imperial Palace in Great Han's Chang'an City.
"By decree of the Heavenly Emperor!"
"Announce!"
"Vermilion Bird shall enter the hall for an audience!"
Wei Zhongxian proclaimed loudly, and the Vermilion Bird slowly entered.
"Vermilion Bird pays her respects to the Heavenly Emperor!"
"Grant her a seat!"
Yang Hao spoke, still according the woman before him the respect she deserved.
"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor!"
"I am here today bearing the decree of the Chaos Demon Ape!"
"In the past, the Chaos Demon Ape and Kunpeng Saint Emperor ventured into the outer reaches of the Emperor's Ruin. Although they did not reach the core, they witnessed the figures of three elderly Human Race individuals!"
"Are you saying that behind Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun, there are three other Human Race individuals controlling the Emperor's Ruin?" Yang Hao's expression grew grave.
"That is correct!"
"When the figures of those three Human Race elders appeared, the fate of Kunpeng Saint Emperor and the Chaos Demon Ape was already sealed. Those three elders were immensely powerful, likely surpassing the Immortal Emperor realm, reaching the legendary half-step Transcendent state," the Vermilion Bird said softly.
"Transcendent?" Everyone in the great hall grew solemn!
Transcendent!
It was a realm that did not exist in the Immortal Domain!
Beyond Immortal Emperor, akin to the Great Dao!
This concept originated from the Genesis Era, but historical records were scarce, with only a few brief mentions. Essentially, this concept remained undeveloped to this day because, since the Immortal Domain entered the Ancient Immortal Era, no Immortal Emperor had ever managed to reach it, with even controlling over ninety Imperial Mandates being difficult.
"These three Human Race individuals are Immortal Elder, Underworld Elder, and Desolate Elder. The Chaos Demon Ape, aware of the Emperor's Ruin's might, has no intention of overthrowing their rule with his current appearance. His sole purpose is to avenge Kunpeng Saint Emperor!"
"Hence, I have been sent."
"If the Heavenly Emperor can obliterate Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun, the Chaos Demon Ape, I, and Kunpeng Immortal Emperor are willing to join the Great Han Celestial Court and be at the Heavenly Emperor's command!"
As the Vermilion Bird spoke, she stood up and knelt on one knee. This was the first time she had shown such deep respect to Yang Hao since their first meeting, indirectly highlighting the Great Han Celestial Court's power.
If there was any force in this world that had a sliver of a chance to contend with the Emperor's Ruin, it could only be the Great Han Celestial Court.
"Good!"
Yang Hao smiled slightly. He had been contemplating whether he should risk leading his troops to annihilate the Chaos Demon Ape lurking in the depths of space. How could he tolerate a hidden threat so close? This would allow him to resolve this latent danger and turn his attention to the Emperor's Ruin.
Looking at the Vermilion Bird before him, he recalled the past favor she had shown him, which was one of the reasons he had hesitated to obliterate the Chaos Demon Ape.
"Obliterating Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun is not a difficult task!" Yang Hao stated. The Vermilion Bird's head shot up, her eyes wide with shock. "Heavenly Emperor, do not be overconfident. Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun currently controls ninety-nine threads of Imperial Mandate, which is the very limit of the Immortal Emperor realm!"
"Ninety-nine threads? Is that all?" Luo Shixin scoffed and shook his head. He wouldn't have dared to say this a year ago, but now, having controlled ninety-three threads of Imperial Mandate, obliterating someone with ninety-nine was as easy as flipping his palm.
It would be effortless!
"There is no need for worry!"
Yang Hao said softly. "The spatial interval connecting the Great Han Celestial Court to the Ancient Star Road is still unstable. Once it stabilizes, I will order one or two of my generals to infiltrate the Emperor's Ruin and obliterate Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun!"
"This general requests to be sent!"
Luo Shixin immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"This general requests to be sent! To obliterate Supreme Saint Emperor Luo Zun!"
Yue Fei stepped out, his killing intent filling the air, causing the Vermilion Bird beside him to tremble.
"Heavenly Emperor!"
"This general is willing to go!"
Huo Qubing strode forth. These three heroes represented the peak of combat power in the current Great Han court!
With the three of them stepping forward, the civil and military officials felt at ease!
"My esteemed ministers, you are truly valiant!"
Yang Hao smiled faintly. However, he then looked at the Vermilion Bird and asked, "A year ago, my Marshal of Cavalry, Huo Qubing, ventured into the outer reaches of the Emperor's Ruin and saw a woman enveloped in crimson flames. Do you know who she is?"
"The Vermilion Bird Progenitor!"
The Vermilion Bird replied, letting out a sigh of relief. "In the Genesis Era, several powerful beings were born, such as your Human Race's Desolate Origin Ancestor, the Dragon Clan's ancestor - Ancestral Dragon, and the Kunpeng lineage's Kunpeng First Emperor... These were the foundational ancestors of their respective races. However, the records of the Genesis Era are vague, and no one knows the extent of their cultivation. Yet, almost overnight, these powerful beings all disappeared."
"Some say they perished, others say they were sealed, and so on. There are many theories. The one you mentioned today, Heavenly Emperor, is the first Vermilion Bird born in the Immortal Domain, the Vermilion Bird Progenitor. It appears she has perished and is now controlled by the Emperor's Ruin, manifesting in a special form!"