The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 53: The One You Were Waiting For Has Returned

A deep and resonant rumble emanated from Zhou Yi's body, sounding like the cracking of ancient stone.

Brilliant divine light radiated from him, illuminating the dark, subterranean space.

"Great! That immense pressure just now has actually helped my divine body advance a level," Zhou Yi remarked, feeling the vibrant vitality coursing through him and the surging power within his veins. He smiled with satisfaction.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," the Celestial Book Spirit timely congratulated.

While Zhou Yi reveled in his success, Li Yu wore a troubled expression.

"To take it or not to take it?" Li Yu's face was twisted into a frown, his hands running through his hair in frustration.

The Bronze Immortal Palace—such a tempting treasure! For someone like Li Yu, who loved to take advantage of every opportunity, leaving such a treasure untouched was unbearable. It felt like gouging out a piece of his heart.

But taking it might lead to unpredictable consequences. The Ruthless Empress had split her primordial spirit, dividing herself. Even if she hadn't ascended to the celestial level, her power as a Great Emperor would still be overwhelming. Li Yu, an impostor with only enough power to bluff, would be easily crushed by a true Great Emperor.

"What if I take the Bronze Immortal Palace and immediately return to my world? Would that work?" Li Yu, with his lowly mentality, couldn't resist the urge to hoard all the good things for himself. In this moment, his desire overpowered his caution.

"Screw it! I'll go for it!" Li Yu made up his mind and ordered the Celestial Book Spirit to instruct Zhou Yi to take the Bronze Immortal Palace.

As Zhou Yi approached the Bronze Immortal Palace, Li Yu gave the order to seize it.

The Bronze Immortal Palace was far larger than the Demon Emperor's Tomb. To take it, Li Yu had spent an additional two thousand energy points to open a larger retrieval channel.

A massive black vortex enveloped the Bronze Immortal Palace, and in an instant, it vanished.

"That easy?" Li Yu was stunned to see the Bronze Immortal Palace appear in the resource library. "I was scared out of my wits, and it turned out to be this simple? This is..."

Shaking his head, Li Yu realized he had been overly cautious. "The Bronze Immortal Palace is mine! Wonderful! Haha..."

As his worry dissipated, Li Yu laughed heartily, but his laughter abruptly stopped.

"You..."

At the doorway stood a small figure. Li Yu's heart skipped a beat.

It was a little girl. Her clothes were ragged, and her face was dirty, resembling a street urchin from a slum. But her eyes were remarkably clear, shining with a kaleidoscope of colors.

Those eyes alone commanded attention, making the ragged clothes and dirty face fade into insignificance. From those eyes emanated a pure and noble aura that touched the soul.

Her name was Xiao Nannan. She was the Divine Infant. Beyond that, she bore a name that had shaken the world: "The Ruthless Empress."

She was merciless to others and even more so to herself.

Relentless, undaunted, unyielding—she had climbed to the pinnacle of the world.

Seeing this person and recalling her story, Li Yu felt a jolt of clarity as if struck by lightning.

Since coming to this world, he had brazenly taken whatever he wanted, feeling invincible. He had grown arrogant. This mindset was dangerous.

Now, faced with an unimaginable opponent, he felt fear. This mindset was equally wrong.

Even if she were a Great Emperor, so what? If necessary, he would exhaust all his energy, use the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon, the Demon Emperor's Heart, and the Bronze Immortal Palace. Even if he couldn't win, he would make sure to give a fight to remember.

Taking a deep breath, Li Yu calmed himself.

"I apologize for not welcoming Your Majesty earlier," Li Yu greeted with a smile.

"You recognize me," Xiao Nannan replied, her young voice carrying a depth and weight that belied her years.

Li Yu smiled without answering.

Xiao Nannan didn't mind. She continued, "In the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, I heard you say, 'The one you are waiting for has returned.' Now, I seek confirmation. Has he truly returned?"

Li Yu was taken aback. He had thought Xiao Nannan had come because Zhou Yi had taken the Bronze Immortal Palace. But it was about this.

Understanding dawned on Li Yu. For the Ruthless Empress, what mattered most?

Not becoming immortal, but waiting in the mortal world for someone's return.

The Bronze Immortal Palace? Ascending to immortality? These were meaningless. Her cultivation was not for immortality but to live and wait for his return.

Li Yu felt a pang of emotion. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.

"Have you met him?" Li Yu asked instead of directly answering.

"I have." Xiao Nannan took out an oil-paper package, revealing several steaming soup dumplings.

Looking at the dumplings, her eyes welled up.

"Do you think he is the one you've been waiting for?" Li Yu asked softly.

"I... don't know," Xiao Nannan replied, shaking her head slowly. She carefully repackaged the dumplings and looked at Li Yu. "Since you said those words, you must know something. I need an answer."

Her face was expressionless, but Li Yu knew there was a tumultuous storm brewing beneath that calm exterior.

"If you can give me an answer, I won't mind you taking my Elixir of Immortality or my Bronze Immortal Palace."

"Is that so?" Li Yu nodded, understanding that if he couldn't provide a satisfactory answer, she would indeed mind.

"With your cultivation, you must have traced back time and seen everything clearly. You know the origins and the entire story."

Li Yu pointed to a wildflower outside the window. "No two flowers are exactly the same in this world. But you have found the one that is the same. Isn't the answer clear?"

"But... he doesn't have the memories," Xiao Nannan hesitated.

"Does it matter? Before, he was your brother. Now, he can still be your brother," Li Yu smiled. "The soup dumplings are best enjoyed hot. Have him buy more for you."

"Have him buy more for me?" Xiao Nannan hesitated again before taking out the package of dumplings. Slowly, she picked one up and took a bite.

The warm broth filled her mouth, the savory taste spreading.

"Delicious," she murmured, tears glistening in her eyes. She took another bite and said again, "Delicious."

"Thank you," she said, looking up at Li Yu with a radiant smile.

"No need," Li Yu sighed in relief, glad to avoid a confrontation.

He understood that the Ruthless Empress wasn't really seeking an answer. She had already found it. She was looking for validation.

"I'm going to ask my brother for more soup dumplings. Goodbye!"

Xiao Nannan giggled like a little girl asking her brother for candy.

"Goodbye!" Li Yu waved as she disappeared into a flash of light.

"Ye Fan, I may have taken a lot from you, but I've given you an incredibly powerful sister. Consider it even.