Chapter 20: Planning for the Future of Their Children

Chapter 20: Planning for the Future of Their Children

"A human life is but a fleeting moment in the river of time, and death, once it comes, is eternal, longer than the ages."

Xihuang let out a soft sigh. Dressed in white, she seemed detached from the world, her eyes gleaming like autumn waves, beautiful as a dream.

But at this moment, a hint of sorrow clouded her features, making it hard to imagine what could trouble an Imperial Ascendant.

The world did not know that even an Imperial Ascendant had enemies.

"A life must have purpose, and there are things that must be done", Wuning said firmly. His brows were sharp, and his eyes as deep as the sea. Compared to Xihuang, he was more resolute and decisive.

"We have both seen that dark future. For the sake of all living beings, we should stand up and fight. Besides, we still have to settle the score for what happened back then!"

"I know!" Xihuang shot him an irritated glance. Did he really think she was some weak and indecisive woman?

"I just can't help but worry about our two children", she sighed softly.

Even as an Imperial Ascendant, she still had her tender spots.

When she ascended to the path of enlightenment, the Forbidden Zones and the Netherworld saw ancient Sovereigns rise to obstruct her.

The reasons for their hasty actions were simple: they had sealed themselves away for too long, and in this era, they could barely hold on. They wanted to devour countless souls to prolong their lives.

If there were any enlightened beings in this era, they would not allow the Forbidden Zone Sovereigns to unleash the Ebon Tempest.

Thus, the Forbidden Zone Sovereigns tried to prevent others from ascending, so they could act without restraint.

The enmity of being obstructed on the path to enlightenment was as deep as the hatred for the murder of one's parents, and it had to be settled!

Moreover, Xihuang and her husband had already foreseen some of the future. They not only had to settle their scores but also clear a path of darkness for future generations.

"Wushi is extraordinary; this is not his era, and no one in this world can match him."

"Either it will be a Golden Age, where he will vie with other Celestial Prodigies, or the darkest and most turbulent times, where he will quell the chaos, before he reappears in the world", Xihuang said.

"Of course, our child, whether he becomes immortal or reestablishes the Heavenly Court, will be the master of the world's fate!" Wuning's face shone with pride and confidence when he mentioned Wushi.

Xihuang nodded lightly, fully agreeing with this statement, but then her face darkened, and she looked sad.

"But Shaohua is different. I have never truly understood that child. She has her own thoughts, and it is my fault for hindering her path to enlightenment."

Imperial Ascendants were strong, but as a mother, she was gentle.

"This is not your fault, and she wouldn't think that way", Wuning comforted his wife.

"I know!" Xihuang fiercely pinched someone's waist, unable to resist rolling her eyes again.

"She is a good child, but I know she has always harbored resentment. Honestly, compared to Wushi, I am more worried about her."

In their eyes, the best plan would be for them to face everything, settle their scores, and quell the darkness. Then they could leave their children to the future, where Shaohua could protect Wushi as he grew, and the dream of two Imperial Ascendants and four Sovereigns in one family would not be far-fetched.

Unfortunately, that was only a dream, and it was impossible for everything to go their way.

Over the years, they had sensed that someone was plotting something in the shadows. As time went on, the sense of impending doom grew stronger.

They had a foreboding sense that a catastrophic storm was approaching.

Even the combined strength of an Imperial Ascendant, a Great Completion Holy Body, and an Alternative Daoist who could rival a Sovereign, was not enough to deter their enemies.

It was hard to imagine how terrifying the Ebon Tempest would be, just thinking about it made them feel suffocated.

"This is between us. Don't involve her. Even if we both die, she mustn't be harmed!" Wuning said in a serious tone, his doting father nature fully exposed.

"Do you talk to me like this? Are you asking for a beating?" Xihuang’s willow-like brows shot up, and she immediately suppressed the Great Completion Holy Body, making him kneel and beg for mercy repeatedly.

The two had been preparing for this. While Shaohua was traveling the North Dipper with Wushi and others, the couple had already made their final decision.

They not only planned to seal Wushi for future generations but also to keep Shaohua out of this chaos.

This was a tricky matter, and it would be difficult to convince her, so they had to take some necessary measures.

Even the current Imperial Ascendants would find it challenging to quietly subdue an Alternative Daoist, let alone lock them into a Divine Source.

Fortunately, they were a family. No matter how cautious, how could she possibly suspect her parents?

This gave them an opportunity.

Shaohua had no idea that her beloved parents were plotting against her.

It was a classic case of a family betrayal.

She shivered inexplicably, feeling a sense of unease, as if something terrible was about to happen.

"Milord, I have confirmed. The person Little Miss killed came from the Tuntian Holy Land. Someone came to investigate afterward, but I erased all traces."

Lanling’s eyes flashed, and the thought returned to her, bringing back the information.

"The Tuntian Holy Land, just as I suspected." Shaohua came back to her senses and shook her head upon hearing this.

The Tuntian Holy Land followed the path of the Severe Emperor. "Severe" was a name imposed by the world; she was initially known as the Tuntian Emperor.

She created the Tuntian Demon Cultivation, absorbing the origins of all unique physiques to transform herself into a Primordial Chaos Body, thereby achieving enlightenment.

In her later years, she refined her aging imperial body into a Tuntian Demon Cauldron. Like a pupa transforming into a butterfly, she emerged from her old body, shedding her past, and began a new life.

Shaohua couldn’t help but recall the Severe Emperor’s deeds. She knew more than others, even knowing that this emperor would eventually transcend to immortality in the Mortal Veil!

She cast her gaze toward a certain direction in the Eastern Wasteland, where the Huanggu Forbidden Expanse lay.

In a way, they had a connection. She possessed the immortal treasure map, so she would eventually visit the place.

Unfortunately, the Severe Emperor’s fourth transformation seemed to have gone wrong. Her body exploded in the Bronze Immortal Hall, leaving only remnants in the coffin in the Ten Thousand Dragon Nest, and her subsequent state was often unstable.

"You did well. The people of the Tuntian Holy Land have strayed from the path of the Imperial Ascendant, completely falling into the ways of demons. They only know how to forcefully plunder without considering transformation. They are bound to face a great calamity." Shaohua said.

The Severe Emperor lived a life of pride and solitude, never marrying or having children. No man in the world was worthy of her.

She was orphaned and relied on her brother during her childhood, but he was soon taken away by the Feathered Divinity Dynasty, leaving her alone.

She had once been a homeless child, wandering from place to place. Later, she was raised by people in a small village. When she achieved enlightenment, she looked back with only sorrow, rarely finding joy.

So, she left the Tuntian Demon Cauldron to the young men and women of that village, passing on her legacy to them.

The Tuntian Holy Land was located in the Northern Domain of the Eastern Wasteland, close to their sphere of influence.

Unfortunately, those people had become obsessed with their cultivation, making their downfall inevitable. They would soon be erased from the world.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end