"I won’t help," Xu Zimei replied indifferently.
The Divine Emperor was taken aback, then said, "Won’t you even ask what it is about?"
"Apart from destiny, what else could compel you to emerge and risk exposing your whereabouts?" Xu Zimei retorted.
"So you know," the Divine Emperor said with a slight glance, looking Xu Zimei over, "It seems you’re more complicated than I imagined."
"I do have something I’d like to ask you," said Xu Zimei.
"Go ahead," nodded the Divine Emperor.
"Why does every Great Emperor seal the Space Gate leading to the Ancient Demon Cave?"
"Are you that concerned about matters related to the Demon Race?" the Divine Emperor slightly furrowed his brow, then said, "That place is inhabited by a group of bloodthirsty, brutal creatures devoid of humanity.
If the Space Gate were breached and those demonic creatures descended upon the Yuan Central Continent, it would result in catastrophe, with rivers flowing with blood."
"How do you know the creatures there are devoid of humanity? Have you seen them with your own eyes?" Bai Meng said displeasedly.
"This is the will left by the Sages; that Space Gate has been sealed not only since the Era of Emperors but even from the ancient Mythical Era, with each era’s mighty powers adding seals there," the Divine Emperor replied.
"Whether these demonic creatures are truly brutal or not, it’s better to be prepared. After all, should it be true, who would bear the consequences?"
"And who is this Sage?" Xu Zimei furrowed his brow and asked.
"Legend has it that in the ancient Mythical Era, when common folk first made contact with cultivation, they were very weak,
oftentimes hunted and killed indiscriminately by naturally-born and raised monsters as food.
Later, a Taoist Boy riding an Azure Ox appeared, traveling the Yuan Central Continent, specifically slaying those monsters.
He brought a ray of hope to the feeble common folk," the Divine Emperor said, "Over time, as the common folk grew stronger, the Taoist Boy disappeared.
In remembrance of him, people called him the Sage."
After explaining, the Divine Emperor continued, "Now, should we talk about my matter?"
"I must obtain the destiny of this world, and I know that you are determined to have it too, so in some sense, we should be considered enemies," Xu Zimei replied coolly.
"No, no, no, I’m not interested in the destiny of this era," the Divine Emperor quickly shook his head in response, "We can be partners."
Hearing the Divine Emperor’s words, Xu Zimei was taken aback and asked incredulously, "Wasn’t your destiny shattered during that battle?"
"As you said, it shattered, not disappeared," the Divine Emperor replied, "Things that are shattered can still be reassembled."
"What do you want my help with?" Xu Zimei asked.
"I’ve checked many holy texts and secret records from ancient to modern times and know there’s something that can reassemble my destiny.
However, I’ve secretly traveled the entire Yuan Central Continent for the past several hundred years without finding a trace of it," the Divine Emperor said helplessly.
"What is it?" Xu Zimei asked puzzledly.
"There’s a rumored miraculous item in this world, known as the Myriad Dao Lotus," the Divine Emperor stated deliberately.
Xu Zimei was startled, clearly well acquainted with the Myriad Dao Lotus.
The Myriad Dao Lotus had a total of eight flowers, its history is so ancient that it’s difficult to trace.
The eight flowers came in varied colors: white, black, red, yellow, green, blue, purple, and gray.
Each of these flowers possessed a unique, remarkable effect.
It was rumored that Empress Hongtian was the only person who had gathered a Myriad Dao Lotus.
After she ascended, she placed the Green Lotus within the True Martial Holy Sect’s Cleansing Sword Pond to help martial artists comprehend the spirit of their weapons.
Meanwhile, the Green Lotus remained within Baili Xiao’s legacy.
As for the other lotuses, their whereabouts are still a mystery to this day.
"The Myriad Dao Lotus can help you condense your destiny?" Xu Zimei asked curiously.
"To be precise, it’s the Red Lotus within it that has the effect of condensing the Taoist Charm," the Divine Emperor quickly replied. "As long as I have the Red Lotus as the core, I can find a way to condense destiny again."
"Then I’m sorry, we do not have this Red Lotus within the True Martial Holy Sect," Xu Zimei shook her head and responded.
"No, you can go back and look through the secret records left by your Sect’s ancestors. Many things are recorded there, and there must be information about the Myriad Dao Lotus," said the Divine Emperor.
Xu Zimei gave the Divine Emperor a look and said with a light laugh, "Since you’re so eager to know about the Red Lotus.
Why don’t you go to the True Martial Holy Sect and look for my father instead of asking me for help?"
"It’s different. If you help me, I am indebted to you.
If I go directly to the True Martial Holy Sect, then it doesn’t involve you much," the Divine Emperor smiled and said. "You should understand."
"I understand," Xu Zimei replied. "I think you don’t dare go to the True Martial Holy Sect."
Hearing Xu Zimei’s words, the Divine Emperor fell silent for a while, before finally saying, "Among the three Great Emperors who besieged me back then, there was the Ice Snow Emperor."
The Ice Snow Emperor is the Chi Family’s esteemed ancestor and the one who led the Chi Family to the glory of the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect.
Xu Zimei nodded slightly. If it involved the Ice Snow Emperor, then it made sense.
The Ice Snow Emperor and the True Martial Holy Sect have their own story.
Of course, this is only about her personally; it has nothing to do with the Chi Family.
If the Divine Emperor were to condense his destiny again and reach the Upper Realm, he would definitely seek revenge on those people.
Both in reason and in sentiment, the True Martial Holy Sect would stand with the Ice Snow Emperor.
"Give me a reason to help you," Xu Zimei said with a light smile.
The Divine Emperor quickly replied, "I can be your protector when you carry your destiny."
"No need," Xu Zimei shook her head slightly.
The Divine Emperor glanced at Bai Meng beside him, and then said, "He can’t be your protector; he has his own mission."
"As the Saint Heir of the True Martial Holy Sect, do you think I lack protectors?" Xu Zimei said with a light smile.
The Divine Emperor was taken aback, as he hadn’t considered the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect that stood behind Xu Zimei.
"Whatever you see in this Old Land, you can take; maybe you have conditions, and we can talk about them," said the Divine Emperor.
"What I need, you can’t give me," Xu Zimei said with a smile, shaking her head. "However, I’m not without sympathy.
If you’re willing to be my subordinate, I can help you look into the news about the Myriad Dao Red Lotus."
"Getting a Great Emperor to become your subordinate, do you think that’s possible?" the Divine Emperor asked in return, without anger.
"Some people are accustomed to standing high on a divine pedestal; but when you pull them down, you’ll find they are not much different from ordinary people."
Xu Zimei replied, "Even Great Emperors are not invincible, so why is it not possible?
Just like you, an existence that has been pulled down from the pedestal; what is there left to be proud of?"
Xu Zimei stared at the Divine Emperor. What he intended to do was to shatter all of the other’s pride and self-respect.
To lay bare the brutal reality right in front of him.
"Let’s change the terms," the Divine Emperor said after a slight silence, finally shaking his head.