202: Chapter 202 So that's how it is

He looked at Chu Tianjiao, at the calm smile on his face, and an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.

This man already stood at a height he could not reach. Not just in terms of cultivation, but in state of mind as well.

"You're right," the Immortal Emperor nodded, "I still haven't reached your level."

He poured a cup of wine and drank another.

Chu Tianjiao also picked up his wine cup and joined him for a drink.

The two of them continued like this, cup after cup, drinking and chatting.

Inside the dojo, the fragrance of wine filled the air.

After three rounds of drinks, the Immortal Emperor gradually became more talkative.

"You said you can resurrect those Great Emperors?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "Reflecting the Heavens, resurrecting all living beings. This is a power beyond the Immortal Emperor Realm. Although I can't do it yet, one day, I will."

A flicker of shock passed through the Immortal Emperor's eyes.

Immortal Emperor Realm.

That was a Realm he didn't even dare to imagine.

"So you have a way to resurrect all those deceased Great Emperors?" he asked.

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "There is a way. But not now. It requires time and strength. When I am strong enough, those Great Emperors who once fought for the Human Race and for all races will return."

He paused, his tone becoming distant.

"Void Emperor, Emperor Hengyu, the Queen Mother of the West, the Grand Emperor, the Jiuli Emperor... and those Sacred Bodies who died in battle during the Dark Turmoil, those powerhouses who sacrificed themselves to protect all living beings. They will all return."

The Immortal Emperor listened in silence for a long time.

He thought of those late-stage Great Emperors he had ambushed. Some of them were still struggling before death, while others were looking at their people before Dao-dissolution. They weren't weak; they were just old.

"If such a day truly comes..." the Immortal Emperor spoke, his voice slightly raspy, "I will repay what I owe them."

Chu Tianjiao looked at him, a hint of gratification flashing in his eyes.

"Then live well. Only by living can you repay them."

The Immortal Emperor nodded and poured another cup of wine.

"You said you still need to support Shi Hao? That Emperor Huang?"

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "At the end of the Chaotic Ancient Era, he fought alone against four Quasi-Immortal Emperors, and later faced sieges from the Weirdness. He needs support; he needs someone to help him."

"And you all—" He looked at the Immortal Emperor, "are my future reinforcements."

The Immortal Emperor's brow furrowed slightly. "The Weirdness? What is that?"

Chu Tianjiao put down his wine cup, his gaze becoming deep.

"That is the greatest enemy of All Heavens and Myriad Worlds. The source of darkness, the root of all weirdness. They come from beyond All Heavens and Myriad Worlds, from the depths of the nightmares of all living beings. Their existence is meant to devour and destroy everything."

His voice became low.

"In the future, the weirdness army will invade the heavens. All the heavens will be shattered, and countless living beings will die. Only a few people will hold up the banner—Shi Hao, Ye Fan, Wushi, the Ruthless Great Emperor, and Chu Loli long after."

He looked at the Immortal Emperor.

"When the time comes, when everyone around you is dead, you will understand how good it feels to have a familiar person alive by your side."

The Immortal Emperor fell silent.

He could imagine that scene. Endless darkness, endless enemies, friends falling one by one, until only he remained.

He had experienced that kind of loneliness.

Back then, when he fell from the Immortal Domain to the mortal world, he had no relatives and lived alone for countless millennia. He understood that loneliness all too well.

"So you're keeping me alive to fight the Weirdness?" the Immortal Emperor asked.

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "Your talent is unquestionable, given that you could Cultivate to become a Red Dust Immortal even when the Laws of Heaven and Earth were incomplete. In the future, you can at least achieve the rank of Quasi-Immortal Emperor. Keeping you to face the Weirdness is more valuable than killing you."

The Immortal Emperor gave a bitter laugh. "So that's how it is."

"Furthermore—" Chu Tianjiao changed the subject, "you have a way to repair the Immortal Domain."

The Immortal Emperor was stunned. "Me?"

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "You are a native of the Immortal Domain, and the Bloodline of the Immortal Phoenix flows within you. You know more about the Immortal Domain than anyone else. Repairing the Immortal Domain requires you."

He paused and continued, "And those Supremes. Those who never initiated a Dark Turmoil, those who only wanted to enter the Immortal Domain and seek longevity. They can also become a force against the Weirdness."

"Bring them into the Immortal Domain and Cultivate a group of pioneers. When the Weirdness invades, there will be people to hold the line."

The Immortal Emperor listened, a light flashing in his eyes.

"You want to repair the Immortal Domain?"

Chu Tianjiao nodded. "Although the Immortal Domain is broken, its Foundation is still there. As long as enough resources and time are invested, it can be repaired. Then, everyone can enter the Immortal Domain to Cultivate, without being trapped in this mortal world with incomplete Great Daos."

He looked at the Immortal Emperor, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"You won't have to ambush late-stage Great Emperors just to go home anymore. Once the Immortal Domain is repaired, I will personally send you back."

The Immortal Emperor's body jolted.

He looked up at Chu Tianjiao, his eyes full of disbelief.

"What did you say?"

"I said, once the Immortal Domain is repaired, I will personally send you back," Chu Tianjiao repeated. "Back to your hometown."

The Immortal Emperor's lips trembled.

He thought of the Immortal Domain, the land where he was born and raised. He thought of those familiar faces, those times he could never return to.

For countless millennia, he had dreamed of going back.

But he knew it was impossible. The gates of the Immortal Domain had long been closed; he couldn't go back.

But now, Chu Tianjiao was telling him—he could return.

"Are you... serious?" the Immortal Emperor's voice trembled.

Chu Tianjiao looked at him, his eyes full of sincerity.

"I never lie to friends."

The Immortal Emperor fell silent.

He lowered his head and looked at his hands. These hands had once been stained with countless blood. These hands had once used any means necessary just to go home.

Now, someone was telling him—you don't have to do that anymore, I'll send you back.

His eyes turned slightly red.

"Okay." He looked up at Chu Tianjiao. "I believe you."

He raised his wine cup.

"Cheers."

Chu Tianjiao also raised his wine cup.

The two cups clinked in the air, making a crisp sound.

As they drank more, the conversation grew deeper.

The Immortal Emperor let down all his guard and talked with Chu Tianjiao about the events of these years.

He spoke of his experience falling from the Immortal Domain, his wandering in the mortal world for countless millennia, the glory of founding the Primordial Era, and the late-stage Great Emperors he had ambushed.

Chu Tianjiao listened quietly, occasionally interjecting.

He spoke of his experience transmigrating to this world, the madness of Proving the Dao at eight hundred years old, the hardships of living life after life, and the years of fighting in the forbidden zones.

The Immortal Emperor listened, his eyes full of emotion.

"You are stronger than me," he said. "I came from the Immortal Domain with a complete Legacy and Bloodline, yet I progressed slower than you."

Chu Tianjiao shook his head. "It's not about being stronger, it's good luck. I met many people, many who were willing to help me."