Chapter 1023: 悠悠岁月，旧日万载又重逢

In fact, their arrival was so swift and timely because the phoenix's breakthrough had caused an immense upheaval. This was already a special region with incredibly dense elemental energy, which caused the sweeping chain reaction to spread extensively, visible even from very far away.

What's more, Emperor Qi was already secretly heading there, silently sensing a vague bloodline connection, hoping to uncover the truth of the primeval era—the creation of the world... the origin of their Dao Lords, the lineage of the innate ancient gods.

The more Emperor Qi pondered, the heavier his heart grew, especially after seeing the aura in the distance, which completely confirmed his suspicions.

At this moment, Caroline was still in the mindset of an archaeologist exploring ancient ruins, unaware of what was about to unfold, her expression very relaxed. For her, the success or failure of this ancient ruin exploration was a minor concern. She was as serene as if she were merely on a leisurely outing. Being free from mortal danger, quietly serving as a scientist, and studying ancient historical relics—this was a feeling she thoroughly enjoyed, as if she had returned to the ancient Lava Domain, to the ancient times of the Ishdarian people.

Meanwhile, the players had actually struggled and deliberated for a while, ultimately choosing not to tell Caroline the truth. They decided not to interfere with anything, letting events unfold naturally. Because if they told her, how would they explain their source of information? "Are we spies for Yueshen Ji?" "You know wherever they appear?" That would be terrifying. If exposed, the ramifications would be unimaginably severe.

Just like Mengmei, the Alchemist Emperor, and Mount Akina's Speed—these top players were also secretly hiding. Caroline had no idea of their true identities, as they had entered by different means, "reincarnated as natives." The most ancient, the Earth Mother Goddess who accompanied the creation of the world... the oldest Alchemist Emperor of the Wizard World... all were historical figures, native inhabitants born within the world's history. Naturally, they had nothing to do with races like the Asura Path, which had distinct life forms and extremely short lifespans.

Moreover, they had analyzed the worst-case scenario: even if they didn't speak up, Caroline wouldn't be in danger. After all, it was just a clone of her quantum battle body. Could Yueshen Ji kill Caroline's main body from a distance? Even if they could, wouldn't the ultra-ancient deity on the other side block them?

At this moment, Caroline was as relaxed and carefree as when they first arrived, allowing the Nine-Tier Cybermen to roam freely. She spoke calmly to Emperor Qi: "This is the place. Was there a spectacular phenomenon just now? Perhaps there are royal tombs of an ancient civilization hidden here, with some rare treasures emerging. Or perhaps, some terrifying existence resides here, given the aura of a breakthrough..."

"Indeed," Emperor Qi replied, his expression becoming utterly complex, as if he were lost in thought.

Caroline also found it slightly unusual. She had never seen such an expression on Emperor Qi's face—was it nostalgia? Reminiscence? For this shadowy figure who had always operated behind the scenes, it was a first.

As they drew closer, a vast, desolate expanse of ruins appeared before them. Along the crystal-paved streets, shattered crystal trees stood on either side, shimmering transparently, with exquisitely carved railings and diamond fences. Within these fences lay the ruins of a graveyard. Before the graveyard ruins, they saw a large, open platform where a group of elemental creatures with immense auras stood.

"Is this a native elemental civilization?" Caroline stopped, her expression growing stern as she felt a strong, chilling sense of danger. She looked at the group of elemental beings. "Newcomers, who are you? We are passing travelers. Although we are exploring, we have never harmed the inhabitants of these ruins."

Not to mention Ji Shang, Sun God Asa, and others... even the phoenix, she didn't recognize. Seeing the auras before her, she merely assumed they were part of the native elemental civilization of this region. Although the phoenix, by its aura, was clearly a powerful complete Ninth-Tier being, they had already encountered numerous Ninth-Tier Dao Attainers just at the outer entrance when they first arrived at these ruins. In the ruins, Ninth-Tier Dao Attainers were indeed numerous, making encounters quite normal. Furthermore, they had just heard terrifying battle fluctuations—two unimaginably powerful super-beings were clashing, their energy levels so immense that they had begun to steer clear even from a great distance. Even their main bodies could have been shaken to death by the terrifying vibrations from such a battle; as for their current quantum clones, getting close might be utterly impossible. They were well aware of their limits. While their bloodline strength was indeed formidable, as newly ascended Dao Attainers, to provoke such established existences without first building up their foundation would be nothing short of courting death!

"Dao Lord..."

At that moment, just as Caroline hesitated, Emperor Qi stared blankly at the being before him. Clad in an outer robe of energy flames, a gigantic platinum-colored phoenix had transformed into an ancient Dao Lord wearing a Daoist robe. This energy phantom had taken human form, with the phoenix's ultra-small main body located at its heart. Its appearance was exactly like the being who had sat in the Ling Tian Palace long ago, as if even its face hadn't changed.

"Long time no see." The Dao Lord's uniquely gentle voice, in a haze, pulled Emperor Qi back through the years, making him recall that scene from long ago.

In the Heavenly Palace, immortal qi drifted faintly. More than ten futons were arranged before the Daoist Palace, inviting the various ancient gods, Human Ancestor Xu Younian, and Demon Ancestor Qinglian. The Dao Lord lectured from a raised platform, enlightening all beings.

"More than two hundred years have passed since I created the world and brought forth all things. This session of imparting the Dao and enlightening all beings shall lay the foundation for all living things in the world and delineate cultivation realms. The lectures will be divided into eight sessions, spanning three years in total. The gods, who govern the divine authority of heaven and earth and the order of all things, may depart midway to attend to their duties..."

"First Realm: Foundation Establishment. This realm forms the basis of cultivation, sensing the Sea of Consciousness..."

In that moment, he seemed to dream back ten thousand years, reliving that scene: the ancient primeval beings who earnestly sought the Dao on their futons, and Qingteng, who burst in clumsily, causing many amusing incidents, even prompting some of the Suns to angrily rebuke him...

Emperor Qi's eyes were filled with memories.

"How long has it been since we last met?" the Dao Lord asked softly.

"Over ten thousand years," Emperor Qi replied immediately, his voice hushed.

"A reunion after ten thousand years?" the Dao Lord mused. "I still recall that back then, after creating the world and giving my lectures on the futon, I retired. Afterward, the innate ancient gods took charge of heaven and earth's divine authority, ten suns blazed across the sky, and Human Ancestor Xu Younian blocked the Sun Palace. Following that, the Ancestral Witches rose, and the great calamity of the ancient gods was nigh..."

"The Witch Clan? I was the woodcutter of that clan," Emperor Qi replied. "Demons, ghosts, monsters, spirits, Buddhas, immortals, gods—one must destroy the 'witch' character to become truly human."

"I never concerned myself with those matters. The Way of Heaven has its principles. Even though you are my bloodline descendants, I never forcefully intervened. I never intended to monopolize the entire era, allowing your struggles and ascensions to unfold naturally... By the way, Emperor Qi, where is Ruyun?" the Dao Lord asked.

"In another world," Emperor Qi chuckled.

"And Qingteng?" the Dao Lord asked again.

"Still as reckless, mischievous, and fond of causing trouble as ever," Emperor Qi continued to smile. "Back then, from the time of creation and the lectures on the futon, only the three of us remain."

This encounter was clearly strange, almost inconceivable. Yet, Emperor Qi raised no questions. Nor did the Dao Lord explain his presence. They simply reminisced about everything from the past, recalling all those former events.

Given Emperor Qi's intelligence, the moment he saw this scene and observed the bloodline connections of the elemental beings on the shore, he knew his suspicions were confirmed. Therefore, he chose not to ask, as he had indeed verified that they were from another civilization... an enemy civilization. An elemental civilization.

"You are... the Dao Lord?" It was then that Caroline fully realized something was wrong. Her relaxed expression instantly tensed, and she stared intently at the other party... This being was a semi-elemental life form. And appearing here, in this mysterious ancient elemental civilization ruin... could this be the former site of their civilization? In other words, this ancient ruin civilization was originally that of Emperor Qi's ancient ancestors. No wonder Emperor Qi had been so unusual all this time; he had likely sensed a bloodline connection...

And it was rumored that the enemy civilization, Yueshen Ji, consisted of semi-elemental life forms... and the Dao Lord was also a semi-elemental being... It couldn't be such a coincidence!

A chilling coldness shot up her spine. She completely calmed down, her gaze sweeping around before finally settling on a short, mild-mannered, and calm boy of fifteen or sixteen, whose aura was indistinct. "This being..." This was their scheme, appearing here intentionally. The target was likely Emperor Qi...

Caroline's heart began to tremble violently. She felt a powerful urge to grab Emperor Qi and turn and flee, her integrated body and soul, every cell, shaking. "Yue! Shen! Ji?! I've actually encountered the enemy who killed my Daoist friend, the ultra-ancient deity, back then, the culprit who destroyed the ultra-ancient Lava Domain... a legendary forbidden existence with invincible combat power?"

When the true enemy suddenly appears before you, completely unprepared...

"You are..." Caroline's face changed. But before she could finish, the other party seemed to know what she was about to say. The gentle, short, seemingly harmless fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy looked at her and replied with a smile:

"It is I."

Caroline was stunned speechless, unable to decide whether to sit or stand.