Outside the mirror.

All the cultivators’ gazes were fixed on the ancient book cradled in the young Heavenly Emperor’s arms and did not waver.

“Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor became what he is by relying on this book?”

At this moment, every cultivator’s eyes burned with intensity.

A peerless cultivation technique—this was undoubtedly a supreme treasure of this world.

Moreover, this very method could very well be the technique that made Gu Changqing ascend to the status of Heavenly Emperor!

Tigers roared and leopards cried in the mountains.

In this world made up of all sorts of competing races, the forests and mountains were an extremely perilous place for a child of just a few years.

However, the distant sounds of beasts circling the mountain strangely gave Gu Changqing a strong sense of security at this moment.

That was, compared to what he had encountered at the foot of the mountain.

The scene he had just witnessed had struck him too deeply.

He kept running deeper into the mountain. At some point his tears had stopped.

Winding through the dense bramble, his clothes gradually tore. The exposed skin was marked with frightful streaks of blood.

After running for who knew how long, he dove into a cave.

In the darkness he hugged the infant, watching the surroundings warily, trembling…

“He must be very frightened…even an adult would be fearful to stay long after recklessly venturing into such woods,” someone commented.

They briefly forgot that this boy was the ruthless, tyrannical Heavenly Emperor and felt sympathy.

“I am curious—this infant barely knows him, and after such a shock, why didn’t he abandon the baby and descend the mountain alone to save himself?”

“Clearly the latter choice would have given him a greater chance of survival.”

“Abandoning the infant would be more in line with this Heavenly Emperor’s usual conduct, wouldn’t it?” someone spoke with amusement.

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Gu Youwei.

After all, Gu Youwei was a participant in this episode of the past.

But Gu Youwei shook her head expressionlessly. “I was still a baby then. How could I have memories?”

“My memories of him there are very few, and most of them are from after I began the path of cultivation.”

Since Gu Youwei could remember.

She had cultivated in an ancient sect until her master was about to pass away and told her she had an elder brother. Only after leaving the sect did she meet this so-called brother.

She never expected that the one she considered her only family would, in the end, harbor murderous intent and scheme against her.

Having received no spoilers from Gu Youwei, the crowd immediately returned their attention to the scene in the mirror.

The fear seemed to be gradually suppressed by the young Heavenly Emperor.

He slowly relaxed and revealed the infant hidden in his arms.

Only then did everyone notice that though Gu Changqing’s arms were covered in blood, the baby bore not a single wound, and even the swaddling blanket was intact.

It was clear he had consciously protected the child.

For an adult, doing this would be easy.

But for an ignorant five-year-old, this was no easy feat.

After all, his shoulders were still frail. He could barely protect himself.

“It seems the Heavenly Emperor’s nature is still pure and kind at this moment,” someone said.

Gu Youwei’s eyelids trembled slightly.

At the very least, Gu Changqing had no intention of abandoning her at this time.

“This must be one of the rare times you protected me,” she murmured inwardly.

In fact, since she left the mountain and met Gu Changqing, his care for her had been meticulous.

But when he took her immortal root, all his past kindness toward her seemed so hypocritical.

This was the only time when he showed her protection without ulterior motive.

Ye Chen keenly noticed Gu Youwei’s emotional stir.

As if afraid Gu Youwei might start feeling hopeful about the Heavenly Emperor, Ye Chen immediately said, “He ultimately committed that inhuman atrocity.”

“Human nature is inherently good, after all. Perhaps he did not intend to abandon you then, but after certain trials—finding he could barely survive himself—this Heavenly Emperor may have become just such a person, step by step, steeped in evil and willing to do anything for his selfish desires.”

“I dare say it won’t be long before this Heavenly Emperor’s viciousness is fully exposed.”

As expected.

The moment those words left his mouth, the emotion in Gu Youwei’s eyes vanished, replaced once more by coldness.

Compared to her trust being betrayed.

That small bit of care was indeed insignificant.

The crowd unanimously nodded at Ye Chen’s analysis.

No one was born a villain. They became one step by step.

The boy appearing in the ancient mirror was indeed pure, but in the end he became a great demon who betrayed heaven and earth!

Those present were the strongest in this world.

Having come this far, they understood more than anyone that attachments and sentiments were the most laughable of things.

Those who once trusted the Heavenly Emperor and had now fallen to this state were the best proof of that.

They also believed, as Ye Chen said, that after enduring hardships the Heavenly Emperor’s ferocity would be revealed.

The only question was: how long could the Heavenly Emperor’s pure nature last?

They were somewhat eager to wait and see.

Inside the ancient mirror.

Night fell, and Gu Changqing remained in the same position.

The infant in his arms began to wake, seemingly hungry. The baby’s loud cries shattered the night’s silence.

Sounds arose outside the cave.

It sounded as if hungry beasts had smelled food and were circling outside the cave.