The gate split open like a divine wound, spilling golden radiance across the ancient stones. Xiao Wang narrowed his eyes as the pressure inside surged outward—heavy, imperial, suffocating. It was the kind of aura that once forced entire realms to their knees.
The silver-haired girl stumbled back, clutching her chest. "This… this is emperor's will. Pure, undiluted emperor's will."
Even the Devouring Sword trembled, though its spirit tried to hide it.
"Boy… brace yourself. That is not a memory. Not a vision. That is your past self."
His other personality clicked his tongue in awe. "He really did sound cool… and terrifying."
Xiao Wang stepped through the opening.
The world shifted instantly.
The darkness inside wasn't cold—it was warm. Heavy. Thick like molten gold, with each breath carrying the scent of ancient palaces, burning galaxies, and forgotten wars.
A colossal hall emerged before him, stretching far beyond the limits of the Sanctuary. Pillars forged from compressed star-core rose infinitely upwards. Banners carrying his old insignia hung silently, untouched by time.
At the center of the hall sat a throne.
A throne carved from crystallized laws.
And upon it—
A man rested with one leg crossed over the other.
He wore long robes made of shimmering starlight, each thread etched with divine runes. His hair was long, pale gold. His presence commanded everything around him without even trying.
He opened his eyes.
Golden irises, sharp enough to cut through fate.
Xiao Wang stared at the man.
The man stared back.
It was like looking into a mirror of a different universe.
"You're… me," Xiao Wang said quietly.
The Emperor Fragment smiled faintly. "No. I am what you used to be."
His voice was calm—yet heavy enough to make the hall tremble.
The silver-haired girl shivered behind Xiao Wang. Yun Xi remained at the gate, her expression unreadable.
The Emperor Fragment rose from the throne.
And the universe seemed to bow.
"You survived Heaven's first strike," the Emperor Fragment said. "Impressive. But expected."
Xiao Wang's eyebrow raised. "Expected?"
"Of course," the Emperor replied, stepping down the stairs made from floating stardust. "I did not reincarnate into a weakling."
His tone carried arrogance so absolute it wasn't arrogance anymore—it was simply fact.
The Devouring Sword spirit muttered, "His attitude hasn't changed."
His other personality added, "Yep. That's the 'I can destroy Heaven before breakfast' version of us."
Xiao Wang ignored them both.
"What are you?" he asked. "A memory? A remnant? A soul fragment?"
The Emperor Fragment stopped at the foot of the throne and looked Xiao Wang up and down.
"I am the first crown," he said. "Your emperor self. Your authority. Your supremacy. Your will that once made the heavens kneel."
He touched his chest lightly.
"When your soul was shattered, I endured. Buried. Waiting."
His gaze darkened.
"But Heaven tried to erase me. They failed."
Xiao Wang frowned. "Why reveal yourself now?"
"Because you finally qualify," the Emperor said simply. "You survived an Overseer's judgment. You severed Heaven's spear. You awakened the Devourer fragment. And your sword fragment is beginning to stir."
Xiao Wang inhaled sharply.
Sword fragment?
He hadn't even sensed it yet.
The Emperor continued, "You are incomplete, but awakening. And now… Heaven has activated the Abyssal Hunt Protocol. Before long, their full armies will break through."
He lifted a hand.
Golden chains of light unwound from his body.
"You need power, Xiao Wang. Real power. The kind this realm cannot offer."
His golden gaze locked onto Xiao Wang.
"So I will give you mine."
The silver-haired girl gasped. "He's going to merge with you? No! That's too dangerous—your body won't be able to withstand the emperor's essence!"
But the Emperor Fragment chuckled.
"Little girl, that is why he was chosen. His mortal vessel holds the seeds of three paths."
He pointed a finger at Xiao Wang's chest.
"A body tempered by trial… A mind tempered by chaos… And a soul tempered by destruction."
He stepped closer until he stood directly in front of Xiao Wang.
"Tell me, Xiao Wang," the Emperor said quietly. "Are you afraid of becoming who you once were?"
Xiao Wang paused.
His other personality whispered, "Don't lie. He'll know."
Xiao Wang exhaled slowly.
"No. I'm not afraid."
The Emperor Fragment's expression shifted into satisfaction.
"Good. Then you are ready."
He placed his palm on Xiao Wang's forehead.
Blinding light erupted.
The silver-haired girl cried out, reaching for him.
Yun Xi grabbed her arm. "Don't! If you interfere, both of them will die!"
Xiao Wang's consciousness spiraled into darkness—
Then into overwhelming light.
Memories rushed through him.
A throne forged from collapsing stars. Millions kneeling. A woman laughing beside him. A betrayal in the dark. The fall of galaxies. A war that shook creation.
He groaned as pain and power collided inside his body.
"You are not ready for full fusion," the Emperor's voice echoed. "But you can handle a portion."
A shard of golden flame pressed into Xiao Wang's soul.
It seared its mark into him.
[Cultivation Breakthrough]
[Foundation Building → Core Formation Realm (Early Stage)]
[Physique Evolution: Imperial Vessel Awakening (1%)]
[New Ability Unlocked: Emperor's Dominion]
The Emperor stepped backward.
His form flickered.
His eyes softened with something dangerously close to pride.
"Grow stronger quickly," he said. "Before Heaven arrives. Before the traitors awaken. Before Yun Xi's fate catches up to her."
Xiao Wang's eyes shot up.
"What do you mean—?"
But the Emperor Fragment was already fading.
"Remember this, Xiao Wang."
The throne behind him shattered.
The hall cracked.
Light consumed his figure.
"The heavens broke you once. Never let them do it again."
Everything collapsed into nothingness.
Xiao Wang gasped and opened his eyes.
He was back in the Sanctuary.
The gate behind him sealed shut, vanishing as if it had never existed.
Yun Xi stared at him, shocked beyond words.
The silver-haired girl covered her mouth, tears of relief falling.
A faint golden glow still burned behind Xiao Wang's eyes.
And an imperial pressure—undeniable, terrifying—coiled beneath his skin.
"What happened?" the silver-haired girl whispered.
Xiao Wang stood still, feeling the surge of new power inside him. His blood felt like liquid flame. His bones hummed with divine resonance.
"I met him," he said quietly.
"And he gave me a gift."
The Devouring Sword vibrated. "A dangerous gift… but one we needed."
His other personality whistled. "And now we're hot, deadly, and terrifying on a new level. I approve."
Xiao Wang didn't smile.
Because behind Yun Xi…a new portal was slowly opening—one that none of them summoned.
Its aura chilled the air.
Yun Xi stepped protectively in front of him, her face pale.
"No… not now… they've already—"
A voice seeped from the portal.
Cold.
Regal.
Merciless.
"Reincarnated one… the Abyssal Hunt begins."
Xiao Wang's expression hardened.
The next enemy had arrived.