"Everything is in place; we just need to wait," the emperor declared as he summoned his Divine Beast of Incense—the phoenix— that radiated a divine, golden light.

  "In time, you will finally evolve into a true phoenix" he whispered kindly, placing his right hand atop the phoenix head and gently stroking it.

  From the phoenix, nine strands of hair were drawn. Once removed and as the golden light waned, he reassured, "Don't worry—it’s all an investment. After this, you will be able to evolve."

  With his left hand, he produced nine beads of various colors—one contained a broken, bloodied sword; another resembled a shattered shield; yet another held a pen and paper, and so on. After inserting the nine strands of hair into the beads, they all began to glow. The emperor released them, and they fell like shooting stars.

  One bead landed on a poor, sickly girl; another fell near a scholar; and, in the end, each bead chose its owner—except for one. "Hmm?" the emperor murmured as he noticed the remaining bead halt and change its original course from the stronger will kid, to the heading toward a village and a young man’s body.

  "What happened? This was not in the plan." He glanced at Bao Chen, noting that every time he looked at the young man, something seemed off—his features appeared twisted and shrouded in a mysterious haze.

  "This kid is peculiar, but I sense an opportunity in him. It feels as though the very laws of time and destiny are at work. Could he be a special body? I’ve heard of a 'time and space body,' but never a 'time and destiny body.'"

  "I cannot be careless; my plans are nearly complete. I must not act hastily—this person is an anomaly. Let me calculate his future first." The emperor began to trace the currents of fate with his hand, and the river of destiny started to flow.

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  As he calculated, he encountered resistance. "Tch, who is obstructing my calculation? I’d like to see you try to stop me," he growled. Breaking through an invisible barrier, visions of Bao Chen's many potential futures unfolded before him. Shocked, the emperor murmured, "How could this be? Most people have one or perhaps a few destinies, but this child's possibilities seem nearly boundless."

  "Damn it" the emperor frowned his eyebrows " every time I calculate a new future, it consumes an enormous amount of energy. And worst of all, I sense hostility from both heaven and earth—a phenomenon that only occurs when some one who will benefit heaven and earth appeals."

  "Never mind; let me just punish him a little bit. This is already breaking the rules."

  The emperor use this powers to put bao chen in his River of Destiny, After seeing Bao Chen in his River of Destiny, the Emperor was pleased—"it was proof that you don’t take other people’s stuff." But then something unexpected happened. Golden words, with their irresistible appeal, stunned the Emperor; he couldn’t take his eyes off Bao Chen, and greed flared in his heart.

  “Yes, yes, this is my opportunity! I thought you would help the world and help me break through, but I didn’t expect you’d assist me in another way. Haha, God is really helping me!”

  Using his supernatural powers, the Emperor teleported Bao Chen to himself, employing his Divine Beast of Incense—phoenix—for reconnaissance. “I need to stop anyone who dares come here. Even if this kid has backup, I will not let him go,” he declared. Then he attempted to use the River of Destiny to devour Bao Chen’s soul, but it proved difficult.

  “Interesting,” he murmured. “the stronger the mind is , the stronger I will become.” Turning around, he looked at Bao Chen and thought, “Kid, you should be proud—I personally took action.”

  “SYSTEM, HELP ME!” he cried. "Tsk no one will help you I made sure of-"

  Suddenly, a blue box appeared and absorbed his body. Then a voice resounded, “Tsk, you are not following the rules.” A system screen flashed a message: “Those who wield the power of heaven must remain cold and just, erasing all living beings impartially if you wish to—”

  “Okay, stop talking,” the white dragon commanded, and the emperor soul fell silent.

  The White Dragon then looked at the Emperor. “So, is that all?”

  “Yes, it is, Senior,” the Emperor replied, his head hanging in defeat.

  The White Dragon look at Bao Chen. “What about the Buddha Seal, then?”

  “What Buddha Seal?” the Emperor retorted as he glanced at Bao Chen. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Okay then, tell me, what should I do with you?” the White Dragon insisted. The Emperor shuddered slightly at the question.

  “Senior, you possess high cultivation. People like us retreat into seclusion for hundreds—or even thousands—of years. Let me stay with the junior and teach him,” the emperor offered with a flatter smile.

  “No, let society beat him some more—it will help build his character. And as for you…” the dragon hesitated, then added, “you have some use, but not right now.”

  At that moment, the White Dragon produced a glass bottle and sealed the Emperor inside it.

  “I’m finished with that,” he declared. Looking at Bao Chen the White Dragon wondered, “But how did that appeal? Hmm, maybe it’s from…”