That was a comforting sentiment: "Just because of love."
"Just because of love?" Laine asked curiously.
"My existence came from a frenzied sacrifice, tens of thousands of years ago when humanity still lived primitively, consuming blood and hair. Though Subspace wasn't as chaotic and filthy as it is today, it was already fraught with dangers." The Emperor calmly narrated a piece of history.
"At that time, leading humanity through the darkness were certain Subspace Casters. They were called Shamans. A small part of humanity possessed the ability to cast spells using Subspace, and they strived to guide humanity forward for its welfare."
"But this didn't last long. When humanity was very weak, they couldn't attract Chaos's attention. However, as the number of Shamans gradually increased, as humanity's power slowly grew, these Shamans ultimately drew the Chaos Demons. Because the essence of the Shamans' spellcasting was to use Subspace Energy, and whenever they cast spells, demons would appear from Subspace rifts to tear them apart."
"With Shamans dying on a large scale, the remaining ones knew their days were numbered. So they made a shocking decision. For the future of humanity, they collectively committed suicide using a special sacrificial Secret Technique, merging all their souls, strength, knowledge, and love and reluctance for humanity into a massive soul."
"That is me. I am the Master of Humans. My love for humanity needs no reason."
"Father... I am endlessly grateful for your sacrifices and efforts for us." Laine knew how much his father had sacrificed and couldn't help but feel a little red around the eyes, suddenly realizing that his resentment and suspicion towards his father were excessive.
It was precisely because of his father's selflessness towards humanity that he seemed stingy to Laine.
In this moment, the son understood his father's hardships and struggles.
The Genetic Primarch shed tears.
"Thank you, but I've heard enough of that praise." The Emperor's words remained ice-cold, as if everything that happened just now was an illusion.
"I always feel like I'm growing too slowly." Laine changed the subject.
"This is the right path to growth." Surprisingly, the Emperor disagreed. He shook his head slightly: "My child, just do your own thing. That's enough. Your brothers still need your salvation."
Laine nodded, no longer troubled by this matter.
With the Ancient Saint Altar activated by Laine, the Emperor began absorbing the energy left by the Ancient Saints, while Laine raided the so-called Dogman Holy Land like a bandit, taking everything valuable. Originally, the secret room should have been very dim, but the golden glow from his father was too bright, so he had to sit sideways: "Father, do Ancient Saints still exist?"
"In the sense of a race, Ancient Saints no longer exist. They were completely annihilated in the War of Heaven. But as individuals, there are still a few surviving in the world." The Emperor absorbed the pure Ancient Saint Energy, acquiring the unique knowledge of Ancient Saints, and simultaneously answered Laine's question with his multitasking ability: "Ancient Saints are ageless and undying. They have transcended the limitations of the physical body. As long as they choose to hide, a very rare few Ancient Saints can still survive... On the planet you originally came from, there is an Ancient Saint, disguised as a human, walking among the world."
Laine thought briefly and immediately knew who that Ancient Saint was, recalling his youthful deeds which made him break into a cold sweat. He then continued to ask: "Are those rumored Demon Toad Shilan on this planet Ancient Saints?"
"No, they are merely servants created by Ancient Saints based on their own image. As I said, Ancient Saints have transcended the physical body, they are pure energy beings."
"Then what about the gods of this world? Are they also energy beings?"
"This world is enveloped by an eternal massive Subspace storm, isolating it from the outside. The existence of Deities is precisely due to absorbing positive emotions from Subspace, ultimately becoming Deities... In essence, they are no different from Chaos Gods."
"Are this world's Chaos Four Gods the same as the universe's Chaos Four Gods?"
"Yes, and no. Although this world's Subspace is connected to the outside, it isn't a unified whole."
Time slowly passed in the exchange between father and son.
Three hours later, yet another Ancient Saint Altar turned to ruins.
"Interesting, this altar recorded some Ancient Saint techniques on how to isolate Subspace influence for technological research. I think the Mechanical Cultivators on Mars would love it. Hmm… And there's something about how to craft devices to seal Star God fragments, which might come in handy in the future..." The Emperor muttered to himself.
"Is it enough, father?"
"It's enough." Gold flames burned on the Emperor's body, his eyes shining with divine light as he gazed at his son sitting nearby, his whispering bearing the dignity of a Deity: "I am about to awaken."
"Laine, my son, continue to stay in this world. Your existence is a top secret. Preventing the Moment of Destruction remains your primary task." The Emperor turned around and extended his hand toward Laine.
The Emperor gathered unfathomable Spiritual Energy, and the fierce light burst forth from the body of the Master of Humans, forcing Laine to shield his eyes with his hand against the intense light. The power over life and death was held by the Supreme Lord—enough to subdue all things and devour everything, capable of completely erasing any form of life from all planes. For more chapters visit NoveIＦire.net