Everyone was baffled. Zi Chen was the least famous among all the emperors and was also the first to ascend to the level of Celestial Emperor. Nobody knew how long he had lived and when he became a celestial emperor.

　　Unlike the other emperors, Zi Chen was very low-key and did not have a high level of cultivation. His skills, compared to the other emperors, could be considered only mediocre. He did not involve himself in the usual intercontinental fights and struggles and also did not take sides. The impression he gave was that of a kindly emperor who got along well with the other celestial emperors.

　　That was why everyone did not expect him to be the mastermind. Moreover, they discovered that he had, in fact, a surprising high level of cultivation; his immortal qi seemed to be denser than that of the other celestial emperors. Had he deliberately concealed his cultivation level?

　　“Long time no see. How are all of you?” asked Zi Chen, stroking his snow-white beard He was still wearing the same kindly look, but there was a gleam in his eyes. “By the way, I haven’t thanked Emperor Chen Ge for taking care of my daughter all these years.”

　　“Your daughter?” Chen Ge paused in surprise. Then wearing an expression of disbelief, he turned to look at Hui Ling. “You…”

　　Flustered, Hui Ling explained anxiously, “I… I only knew about it just now.”

　　Everyone was greatly surprised. They had never known that Zi Chen had a daughter.

　　“When the divine weapon was born, there was chaos in the immortal realm. My daughter and disciple descended to the mortal world by accident, but unexpectedly, Emperor Chen helped me get her back.”

　　So Hui Ling was from a distinguished family in her former life.

　　What’s more…

　　“Your disciple?” Lonemoon turned to look at the person behind him, Xin Han.

　　“That’s right. Xin Han is my disciple.” Zi Chen did not seem to care about revealing his information.

　　Everyone’s expression turned even darker. Xin Han was his disciple! No wonder his cultivation had increased so rapidly, becoming one of the ten Celestial Emperors in the short span of ten thousand years. It was because he was already an immortal.

　　“Why have you abducted us here? Chu Xuan asked loudly.

　　Zi Chen smiled but did not answer. It was Xin Han who answered for him. “We invited you here to do us a small favor.” Pointing at the surroundings, he said, “I’m sure all of you know where this place this?”

　　Everyone wondered why he asked this question. They were naturally familiar with the Emperor Ascension Stage.

　　“The Emperor Ascension Stage is only its current name. ” A look of excitement spread over Xin Han’s normally cold countenance. “A long time ago, this was the site of the heavenly pillar, the pillar that links the immortal and divine realms!”

　　“Divine realm!” Everyone was stunned to learn of such a place in the immortal realm.

　　“Unfortunately, in a battle fought a million years ago, the divine realm destroyed the heavenly pillar, with the result that people in the immortal realm could no longer ascend to the divine realm. This Emperor Ascension Stage is only a seal.” His expression turned cold as he swept his gaze at his audience. “So we invited all of you here today to help me activate the heavenly pillar, to reopen the passage between the divine and immortal realms. This is something that will benefit the whole of the immortal realm.”

　　There was a stunned expression on everyone’s faces. The highest level that could be attained in the immortal realm was Celestial Emperor. Nobody had ever succeeded in becoming a divine being.

　　“If that was the case, you could have just discussed it with us, why did you abduct us?” Ying Zhi could not help asking.

　　Xin Han was about to reply when Xun Shu, who had guessed his motive, cut in, “You want the divine weapon!”

　　“Young Emperor Xun Shu is smart indeed. You truly live up to your Wandering Flame race’s reputation.”

　　“How did you…” Xun Shu’s eyes widened in surprise. How did Xin Han know his identity? Apart from Lonemoon’s group, he had not told anyone about it. There was no longer any record of their race’s existence in the immortal world.

　　“Naturally, I know about the Wandering Flame race, makers of divine weapons.” Xin Han’s gaze turned icy. He said disdainfully, “If it were not for your race, the immortal and divine realms would not have fought against each other in that great battle. Fortunately, there is a solution.”

　　Xun Shu’s expression darkened at his words but he did not rebut him.

　　None of them knew about the Wandering Flame race, but everyone present carried divine weapons.

　　“Little Han, it’s time.” Zi Chen suddenly reminded.

　　“Yes, Master!” Xin Han nodded and conjured a hand seal. Instantly, the array around the Emperor Ascension Stage lit up brightly. Everyone felt the array closing in on them.

　　Xin Han suddenly turned and looked at Hui Ling, who was behind him.

　　Hui Ling still seemed unable to make up her mind. She glanced at Chen Ge with a worried expression.

　　“Junior Sister Xuan, you promised me.” Xin Han urged.

　　Hui Ling bit her lip as if finally making up her mind. Walking to the center of the array, she conjured a hand seal and began chanting a series of spells.

　　Chen Ge looked at her in disbelief. These spells were…

　　Before he could ask further, he felt a jolt of pain. His divine weapon, which resided in his divine perception, flew out and landed in Hui Ling’s hands. The spell she was chanting was able to control the divine weapon in his body!

　　“Little Ling, you…” Chen Ge could hardly believe that she would use the spell he had taught her against himself.

　　“Master…” Hui Ling looked at him and cried. She looked aggrieved and conflicted, but not at all remorseful. “Please understand, Father said that only these divine weapons can open the seal of the heavenly pillar. I do this for the immortal realm, for the greater good.” The more she spoke, the more determined she sounded. She spoke as if she was the champion of righteousness.

　　Everyone was shocked. A few passed Chen Ge sympathetic looks. To term such an act of betrayal against her master as a righteous deed was something only she could do.

　　The forced removal of the divine weapon cause Chen Ge’s body to suffer a backlash. He coughed out a mouthful of blood. He gazed at Hui Ling with widened eyes as if seeing her clearly for the first time.

　　“Master!” Hui Ling exclaimed, startled. She subconsciously started walking towards Chen Ge.

　　“Little Xuan.” Zi Chen called out suddenly.

　　Hui Ling halted in her tracks. She looked at Chen Ge with an innocent expression and said, “Master, He’s my father, I must obey him. I know you understand my position, right?”

　　Chen Ge gave her a cold look and then closed his eyes as if to shut her out. He felt a pang in his heart. He had rescued her from the demons in the lower realm and brought her to the upper world. Knowing that she had been mistreated as a child, he had treated her better than his other disciples. Seeing her unharmed just now, he had even wondered whether Xin Han had coerced her.

　　Due to the circumstances of his previous reincarnation, he relied on this divine weapon to restore his primordial spirit. Hui Ling knew this very well, yet she had sided with a man she had met for just a few days, a man who was her father in her previous life. Moreover, she did not even seem to remember her previous life.

　　He suddenly remembered a passing comment Shen Ying had made as they were leaving Invincible Sect: You are a good chap, just a little blind!

　　He had thought she was just joking, now he had to admit that he was indeed blind!