Very soon, a soft sigh sounded from the core area guarding the Divine Artifact known as the Divine Window:

"Why is it you, Gale Emperor?"

"How did you end up like this?"

The speaker was, of course, the Masked Emperor, the pioneer of the Divine Statue Era.

Speaking of him, he is quite a legend himself, possessing plain and weak aptitude, yet like something out of a storybook, he had a stroke of fortune, fell off a cliff, and stumbled upon a treasure: the Divine Window.

Since then, he rose to prominence, advancing boldly, as a mortal replicating genius, breaking through barriers all the way.

Eventually, he challenged the gods with a mortal body, turning into a myth and legend.

But the weaknesses of the Divine Window also became apparent.

The individual combat power of the Masked Emperor was not considered strong; it was by relying on a multitude of friends that he overthrew the old Dynasty.

But the batch of Self-Transformation Realm cultivators he led developed dissenting thoughts, dividing into the Thirteen Dynasties.

Over the long years, although he was the largest country, he had no choice but to compromise with the other twelve countries during the era of division, signing agreements to share the Divine Window.

"Masked Emperor."

The Gale Emperor roared loudly: "Hand over the Divine Window, and I'll let you live! Otherwise, my children will teach you a lesson."

Infant Emperor Cyan Flame Emperor crawled wildly on his belly, accusing with sculpted jade-like beauty: "Don't be too excessive, who is your son!"

"Get lost! You disgusting old man."

"How did you do this, let us go."

...

Other infants were cursing angrily.

Of course, the Gale Emperor would never let them go. Shamelessly, he said: "I've carried you for ten months, giving birth to these naturally sacred beings, one obedient baby after another, how could I let you go? Help me conquer the world now!"

Watching this bizarre and absurd scene, the Gale Emperor, transformed as a male mother, made the Masked Emperor's brain short-circuit for a moment, turning his face pale.

"What? What? What?"

He couldn't comprehend what was actually happening.

How did the Gale Emperor turn into another Father of Non-Life? No, he should be called the Father of Non-Life.

Enacting a familial ethical drama, engaging in a crazy exchange of insults?

Turning into the monster that once overthrew their Divine Statue Era.

"Hahaha hahahaha!"

The Gale Emperor was a despicable person who became arrogant when successful, now laughing maniacally as he began swift actions.

"Children, attack!"

With that, nine uncontrollable Infant Emperors began attacking the opponent, releasing a group of powerhouses.

"Kill!"

"Don't engage them in close combat, their physique is powerful!"

"Yes, these mother-child bonds, are exaggerated close-combat warriors with formidable combat power!"

...

The strength of Nine Infant manifested vividly at this moment!

While ordinary people possess five elements, they cycled through fifty elements.

The Undying Cycle expanded by tenfold, life force endlessly flowing, they are practically fifty-element War Gods, born melee warriors with an extremely difficult undying nature.

You could even say.

If there isn't enough explosive power, they can continuously consume Spiritual Qi, fighting eternally.

This was the main reason for their defeat back then.

They could surround brittle opponents, but such a meat shield, if not breaking defense, was nearly impossible to deal with.

Mother of Non-Life restrained them for only two reasons:

1, cannot be replicated.

2, meat shield, not afraid of being besieged and worn down.

If either of these aspects was missing, Mother of Non-Life wouldn't have won back then.

"What is going on exactly!?"

"Damn it!"

The ancient powerhouses in the tomb were all lying dormant, trying to ambush Ning Zheng, only to encounter a natural enemy attack.

This battle lasted the entire night.

The impressive fifty-element combat power had Gale Emperor chasing his nursery, battling against those Earth-bound Spirits.

Over thirty in the Self-Transformation Realm were in chaotic combat.

Gale Emperor and ten others fought against over twenty and gained the upper hand.

Until the second day's dawn.

The sky was gray, the earth a wasteland, dotted with craters large and small. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Just arrived Jiucai Rong, yawning, logged online only to get hit on the head, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

What the heck!

Which villain dared to ambush me?

Jiucai Rong opened his eyes and immediately realized he was in the thick of a battle, surrounded by NPC indigenous big shots glaring at him.

?

It took him several seconds to react.

Seems like his NPC during tree night mode had advanced the story plot by a large portion automatically.

And amid Jiucai Rong's stun, those few Self-Transformation Realm powerhouses finally grabbed the opportunity and vanished without a trace.

Although they didn't understand why Gale Emperor hesitated, the opportunity was precious.

"Damn!"

Jiucai Rong exhaled, seeing them disappear at once, "Bullying us for not being skilled in combat, while Gale Emperor excels in fighting at night."

"I told you not to log in so soon," Mudworker mocked.

"Nonsense!" Jiucai Rong laughed and cursed: "Being wise after the event, without logging in, how would we know this battle turned out this way?"

"What do we do now?" Mudworker asked.

"Let's stroll, find a place to have tea," Jiucai Rong pondered, "Since they've run, there's no catching up with them."

They as pseudo-humans launched an ambush, taking down thirty Self-Transformation Realms, securing a significant advantage.

Yet.

The Self-Transformation Realms that follow aren't fools.

They would undoubtedly be vigilant, gathering and concealing themselves, not giving them further opportunities for solo ambush possession.

But having possessed 30% as pseudo-humans, this outcome is exceptionally remarkable.

...

On another note.

The Masked Emperor and others are secretly hiding.

"Everyone, the situation is a bit grim; I'm afraid the Gale Emperor might be colluding with the Tomb Raider outside."

The Masked Emperor's face showed anger.

He never expected to suffer such a huge loss.

One third!

A full one third of the Saint Emperors has rebelled.

Bear in mind, their Survival relies on outnumbering the few.

Now there are only a little over twenty left. Even if they defeat the Gale Emperor and others, their numbers might still pose a problem, and cloning might not be enough against some extraordinary anomalies.

"What should we do now?"

"I'm not sure."

"Damn it! Could it be that we are truly doomed?"

...

At this moment, the Masked Emperor said: "After thorough research, the Mother-Child Spirit Root of old is no longer an issue. I now have a method for cloning."

Upon hearing this, the Cultivators of the Self-Transformation Realm were delighted.

The past loopholes have been fixed; can they clone that alien species' Mother-Child Spirit Root?

The Masked Emperor looked at everyone's expectant eyes, silently nodded, and said: "I have a Dharma Method to update everyone to the Immortal Spirit Root, enabling us to clone the Gale Emperor and others."

"But, we need one person to clone the Mother Spirit Root and nine people to clone the Child Spirit Root. Only then can we... combine to engage in combat."

No sooner had he spoken these words than everyone reacted instantly.

Aren't they invincible now?

They can form two Nine Infants teams, basically ensuring victory in a 2 vs 1 scenario, with the Divine Window and various treasures in hand.

The theoretical victory rate is already one hundred percent!

The group, feeling a sense of relief, quickly realized this.

"I'll clone the Mother Spirit Root."

"I'll clone the Mother Spirit Root."

"I'll be the Mother!"

They exchanged wary looks; on their side and the Gale Emperor's alike, an ethical drama unfolded.

This Spirit Root clearly has hierarchical orders!

Everyone wants to be the Mother, controlling the nine infants below rather than being one of the controlled.

"No, I'll be the Mother."

"I will!"

Instantly, arguments broke out like a storm.

The Masked Emperor felt overwhelmed, perplexed by the tomb, where everyone was either a parent or a child...what kind of thing brings such an evil mother-child calamity?

The scenario was bizarre indeed; it wasn't a father, but a child shaking the foundation of the tomb.

Eventually, after heated discussions, they agreed on the fairest solution: take turns being the Mother Spirit Root; it's the fairest.

Upon hearing this, the Masked Emperor showed anger:

"Fairness again? Haven't they realized yet that during the Divine Statue Era, we perished because of fairness!"

In the Divine Statue Era, everyone's limit was the same, and no one could dominate for ages, resulting in countless equally powerful powerhouses.

A group of powerhouses equitably divided the era.

The realm was utterly incapable of unification.

The Masked Emperor showed anger:

"Back then, it was their refusal to listen to me, to heed my orders, and their rampant disobedience. Thirteen Vassal States, each defying orders and shirking duty."

"They were afraid to muster more troops, avoiding battle at all costs. Otherwise, how could the Mother of Non-Life rise to power, and how could we suffer such a miserable defeat?"

If any rational mind were present back then, they wouldn't have let the Mother of Non-Life rise.

Yet she did rise.

The intricacies in this matter are nauseating.

A great era perished, undone by human nature.

Cloning allowed them nearly equivalent combat strengths; no one complied...it seemed like an equitable era for everyone, yet it was, in reality, the most foolish era.

The Masked Emperor painfully closed his eyes:

"I foresee that rotating the Mother Spirit Root, rotating the person in control, will be our biggest vulnerability...because should someone harbor ulterior motives, harm will arise when they become the mother controlling others...the consequences are unbearable to contemplate."

The Masked Emperor kept thinking, ironically laughing inside.

In warfare, how could one make such a foolish decision: allowing individuals to rotate as the commander?

Yet even with his vast wisdom, he couldn't change this situation rife with suspicion.

There was evident absolute trust in him, letting him always be the mother in control, ensuring the best combat rhythm.

Should I gamble?

Gamble that all ten of us, after transforming into Nine Infants, will be unified in purpose?

The Masked Emperor's expression suddenly blurred.

It's now a matter of life and death.

He suddenly remembered the day he overthrew the nation, stepping into the Nursery Capital City, proclaiming loudly to bring happiness to the people of the realm...

And his trusted brothers nearby, stabbed him brutally in the back.

That day unified the realm, and also marked the beginning of division!

He was utterly helpless.

Because no matter how talented he was or how smart, during that era, the military capabilities were convergent, the ceiling identical.

Later on, he struggled to balance the internal conflicts of the Thirteen Countries, attempting to use political maneuvers to balance the realm, allowing the populace to live a better life...

He succeeded.

But thereafter, encountering the external threat of the Mother of Non-Life, he advocated for a united assault on her, their foundations and combat prowess being sufficient to easily eliminate her.

Yet, those thirteen states stabbed him in the back again.

And now?

Should I trust them for a third time?

Believe they won't betray me?

His expression blurred, gradually growing exceedingly resolute:

"No, equality in the realm is the biggest lie in the world."

"This time, I choose to stab them in the back first, and become the one to ally with the ancient Ancestral Demon God...the First Ancestor Emperor!"

The Masked Emperor turned around, looking at the Self-Transformation Realm comrades.

The opportunity has been given to them.

Clearly, he provided them the method for cloning and merging into Nine Infants; as long as they agreed to let him be the mother consistently, it would be an assured victory.

But yet again, they chose the path of fairness.

Afraid of others scheming, rotating to be the mother...

"Hehehe...hehehe...hahaha! It's too amusing; I'm laughing to death..." he suddenly laughed uncontrollably, mocking their stupidity, lamenting his hope time and again, unknowingly already with tears streaming down, coldly stating: "Then, I have nothing left to hesitate about. Rather than perish at their hands, I'd personally end the era I've established."