The Root of the Great War

What shook them even more was that Great Emperor Ye Lingxiao—supreme and exalted in their hearts—was actually walking half a step behind the woman.

His demeanor carried a respect they had never seen before, almost like that of a disciple before their master.

Just who was the woman in white beside the Great Emperor?

Why did she command such reverence from him?

Nearly beyond their control, everyone’s gaze clung tightly to Ling Xi.

Awe, bewilderment, confusion... countless emotions churned through the hall.

Among them, several Great Saints of immense seniority who had once witnessed Ling Xi’s brilliance in her former days—

the moment they recognized those familiar features and sensed the faint yet abyssal Devouring Heaven Dao aura about her, their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably.

A name buried for thousands of years, existing only in legend and in their highest faith, exploded within their souls with the force of thunder.

Could it be...?

Great Saint Cangxuan, his hair white as frost and his back slightly stooped, could no longer contain himself.

Staggering out from the crowd, utterly disregarding the dignity of a Great Saint, he dropped to both knees before Ling Xi with a heavy thud.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he stumbled out from the crowd.

Ignoring the occasion entirely, his knees gave way, and he fell with a resounding thump before Ling Xi.

Tears instantly streamed down his deeply lined face. Raising his head, his voice hoarse and broken, yet filled with an utmost devotion and reverence that pierced through the ages and reached the depths of his soul, he cried out:

“Your subordinate, Cangxuan, pays his respects to the Devouring Heaven Dao Emperor! Is it you... have you truly returned?!”

Devouring Heaven Dao Emperor!

Those four words crashed through the solemn imperial hall like divine thunder from the Ninth Heaven.

Everyone shuddered violently. Their expressions froze, leaving behind only blank, stunned terror.

They abruptly turned their heads, their gazes converging upon the aloof woman in white.

Who was Great Saint Cangxuan?

He was a living relic of the Imperial Court, one who had witnessed countless storms and upheavals. Even when Ye Lingxiao had attained the rank of Great Emperor, Cangxuan had merely bowed in salute.

And now, he was kneeling before a woman, tears streaming down his face as he cried out the legendary title?

This woman in white...

Could she truly be Empress Lingxi, the immortal legend of the Canglan Realm who, thousands of years ago, shattered the barriers of this world in pursuit of the supreme Dao?

Ye Lingxiao had long anticipated this scene. His expression remained calm, and he did not stop him. Instead, he addressed the people in the hall in a deep voice:

“Great Saint Cangxuan’s perception is not mistaken. This is indeed the reincarnated form of Empress Lingxi.

“In those days, the Empress sought the Great Dao and endured countless tribulations. Now, she has returned to her homeland.”

It truly was Empress Lingxi!!!

The hall erupted into complete uproar.

Ling Xi’s gaze settled upon Cangxuan, who remained kneeling on the ground, tears flooding his face.

The faint ripple of emotion within her gradually became something profound—a sentiment spanning thousands of years.

Looking at Cangxuan, Ling Xi spoke softly, her voice gentle and wistful, as though it had traveled through time itself:

“Cangxuan...”

Just those two syllables made Cangxuan’s entire body tremble. He abruptly lifted his head.

On his tear-streaked face lay the grievance and longing of a wait that had lasted thousands of years.

Seeing his frost-white hair and bent back, Ling Xi let out a quiet sigh:

“When this Emperor departed, you were still a high-spirited young prodigy of the Imperial Court, your sword pointed at the heavens. And now… your hair has already turned white.”

“Cangxuan has grown old!”

The old man pressed his forehead to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

That single, simple sentence carried the weight of several thousand years, shattering every last defense in the heart of this veteran Great Saint.

The veteran ministers in the hall who knew of those bygone days all felt their noses sting, their hearts filled with wistful sorrow.

Ling Xi raised her hand, and a gentle force lifted both him and everyone else in the hall to their feet.

“Rise. I am no longer the Emperor I once was. I have now reincarnated and begun cultivating anew; I am merely a disciple beneath my master’s tutelage.

“On this return, I see that my homeland remains as it was, its legacy unbroken. You have all rendered great service in defending this land. I am deeply gratified.”

“Reincarnated and begun cultivating anew…”

Everyone’s hearts sank. In that instant, they understood that the Empress’s departure all those years ago had been far from smooth. She had suffered calamity, even risking the perils of reincarnation!

What kind of earth-shaking past lay behind those events?

An indescribable heaviness settled over the hall, along with thoughts of the dangers she must have faced long ago.

And the person whom the legendary Devouring Heaven Dao Emperor had acknowledged as her master…

Only then did Ye Lingxiao step forward. His expression solemn, he bowed deeply to Gu Changge before turning to the crowd, his voice steady and powerful.

“Everyone, this battle is over.

“We were able to win this battle, to save all living beings and prevent the destruction of the Canglan Realm, entirely because Senior Gu turned the tide alone.”

He paused. Then, enunciating every word with perfect clarity, his voice resounded throughout the hall:

“Senior Gu is not only the supreme benefactor who saved the Canglan Realm from destruction—he is also the master of Empress Lingxi.”

Senior Gu?

In an instant, everyone’s gaze shifted away from Ling Xi and fell, almost instinctively, upon the white-robed man standing silently at her side, his expression calm and indifferent.

Reverence, curiosity, gratitude… all manner of emotions filled the hall.

Then, led by Ye Lingxiao, the core members of the Imperial Court immediately grew solemn and bowed in unison to Gu Changge. Their voices thundered through the palace hall:

“We offer our thanks for Senior Gu’s great grace! The Canglan Realm shall remember it for all eternity!”

Gu Changge remained composed. He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

His aura was as deep and unfathomable as primordial chaos. He possessed an innate, imposing dignity, yet somehow inspired an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

As everyone rose, their expressions were exceedingly complicated.

There was the utmost reverence for the legendary Empress, as well as curiosity and shock at her return through reincarnation.

And there was also reverence and curiosity toward Gu Changge.

What kind of being could become the Empress’s master and save the Canglan Realm?

Amid the crowd’s lingering reflections, Ye Lingxiao’s calm voice rang out once more, drawing their thoughts back.

“Enough.”

His gaze swept over the still-dazed assembly, his tone carrying a trace of reassurance.

“The Empress’s return is a momentous blessing for the Canglan Realm. And Senior Gu’s presence is an honor beyond compare.

“Please, take your seats. You have all endured a great tribulation; you must be exhausted.”

Everyone answered in unison and took their seats. Great Saint Cangxuan, Ye Lingxiao, and the others remained at Ling Xi and Gu Changge’s side, their manner still respectful.

The atmosphere in the great hall gradually shifted from its initial shock and wild joy to one of solemn dignity.

Having survived a catastrophe that had nearly destroyed them all, everyone carried a question in their hearts—one they desperately needed answered.

After a moment of silence, a Great Saint clad in dark armor, with a resolute and stern face, finally could no longer suppress the doubts in his heart.

Rising to his feet, he bowed to the assembled crowd. His voice carried a note of urgency and gravity.

“Your servant dares to ask a question. This war came upon us without warning, and Emperor Lingxiao departed in great haste.

Though we have held our ground here, we still do not know who, exactly, has invaded our world.

What is the true cause of this war?”

As soon as he spoke, the others in the hall voiced their agreement, their eyes filled with expectation and confusion.

Indeed, this calamity had descended far too suddenly. The world-shattering tremors, the quasi-emperors of every domain emerging from seclusion one after another, and the spontaneous awakening of imperial weapons—all of it had left them deeply perplexed.

For days, they had remained trapped within the Imperial Court, enduring torment day and night. More than anything, they wished to learn the truth behind this war.