Chapter 1252: A Few Years’ Time

In the small courtyard, the breeze carried the lingering notes of a zither as Ruan Yushu played through all the musical scores she had learned—from the “Mind-Disturbing Melody” to the “Eight Notes of the Heavenly Dragon,” from the “Moon-Cold Mantra” to the “Twelve Divine Tones of Langhuan,” from the “Sky-Splitting, Earth-Shaking Tune” to the “Turtle-Back Longevity Score.” At first, the melodies cycled in repetition, then intertwined in chaotic harmony, as if merging to compose an entirely new piece.

Decades ago, the breakthrough of a Human Immortal was an event that could shift the tides of the world. But now, it had become inconsequential. Aside from the Ruan family, who would spare even a glance at Ruan Yushu’s secluded retreat?

The zither’s notes flowed like water, clear and unceasing, echoing endlessly within the courtyard.

…

Somewhere in Jiangdong, the Sun family estate.

A bright-eyed young boy, dressed in martial attire, trained diligently in the practice yard. He avoided overexerting himself in martial arts, mindful of his still-developing body.

After a round of exercises, he steadied his breath and stepped aside, accepting a warm towel from his attendant. Wiping the sweat from his face, he watched with keen interest as other disciples and servants of the family practiced their martial forms.

Their routines were largely similar—either the “Spark Great Method” or a crude fusion of it with their family’s heritage techniques. Even with his limited experience, the boy could see that these so-called “fusions” were little more than self-deception.

“Young Master, why bother watching them train? You have access to divine arts far superior to the ‘Spark Great Method’!” the attendant grumbled. Though older by a few years, he seemed far less mature than the boy.

The boy nodded calmly, his demeanor surpassing his years. With a faint smile, he said, “The ocean embraces all rivers; greatness lies in tolerance.”

Indeed, he had no need to practice the “Spark Great Method,” which had reshaped the martial world of the True Realm. He was destined for greater divine arts—ones that led directly to the Other Shore, such as the “Primordial Golden Chapter” or the “Seventy-Two Transformations”!

From the moment of his birth, he had been chosen as a disciple by the Immortal Venerable, the master of the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun, the sacred Daoist sanctuary. Once he turned ten, he would ascend the mountain to cultivate the profound Daoist arts.

With such a destiny, there was no need to spare another glance at the “Spark Great Method.” Yet, since most martial artists in the world now used it as their foundation, understanding it better was hardly a bad thing. Knowing oneself and one’s enemy ensured victory in every battle.

The attendant listened in admiration and flattered, “Young Master, your foresight is truly remarkable! Everyone feared you’d be spoiled and aim too high, yet you’ve proven more mature than all the other heirs!”

The boy smiled without reply. How could he compare to ordinary youths when he carried memories of two lifetimes?

Yes, he was Sun Wu—but also Luo Shengyi. The memories of his past life remained vivid, with only fragments missing. Blended with the influences of his current body and environment, he was no longer simply Luo Shengyi.

Handing the towel back to his attendant, Sun Wu walked leisurely to his room. Before entering, he saw his father approaching with a beaming smile.

“Wu’er, in just one month, you’ll turn ten and ascend Mount Kunlun to cultivate the immortal path. Are you prepared?” the Sun family head asked dotingly.

Sun Wu smiled. “Father, I’ve been preparing since the day I became aware.”

The family head sighed in relief. “Your composure puts my heart at ease.”

Pausing, his expression grew reverent. “The Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun is the foremost Daoist sanctuary of our era, and the Immortal Venerable Yuanhuang is the greatest legend of all. To show our sincerity, we cannot wait until your tenth birthday to depart. Wu’er, pack your belongings. In a few days, we’ll take the Mohist mechanical carriage to the city at Kunlun’s base. The moment you turn ten, you’ll ascend the mountain.”

This way, they would follow the instructions without delay, demonstrating their utmost sincerity.

Sun Wu nodded. “As you command, Father.”

Then, the family head produced a waist token and handed it to him. “I feared you might lose it in your youth, so I kept it safe for you. Now, you may wear it.”

Sun Wu took the token. Though it appeared ordinary, four ancient seal characters were inscribed upon it, impossible to ignore:

“Disciple of the Jade Void!”

These words contained no Daoist power, yet the nearby Sun family disciples and servants instinctively bowed their heads in reverence.

No embellishment was needed—”Disciple of the Jade Void” was the greatest divine proclamation of all.

…

At the edge of the East Sea, on Three Xiao Island.

Bi Jingxuan’s aura grew increasingly profound as she focused on the three Chaos Green Lotuses blooming in the pond before her.

The lotuses unfurled petal by petal, fresh and dewy. Then, they elongated and transformed, dispersing wisps of chaotic energy that filled the surroundings. A mighty, overwhelming presence gradually took shape.

As the darkness receded and the chaotic energy was absorbed, three goddess-like figures stood before Bi Jingxuan.

The leader wore Daoist robes, her brows like the moon, her face like a flower—mature, elegant, and resolute, akin to a peony in full bloom. Beside her stood two women in pale palace attire, gentle and graceful, while the third, clad in a flowing green dress, exuded a fiery intensity.

Bi Jingxuan took a deep breath and bowed deeply.

“Disciple Bi Jingxuan pays respects to the three Ancestors.”

The leader smiled softly. “You’ve worked hard. From now on, we shall assist you in proving your uniqueness.”

The Three Xiao Maidens, who once swept through the Jade Void’s disciples in the ancient War of the Gods, had finally returned from their tribulations!

…

In the vast starry sky, a star floating near the True Realm suddenly blazed with radiant light, like a second moon in the night.

This star resembled a towering mountain, inscribed with the words “Mount Jiuhua.”

Witnessing this, countless Daoist cultivators and young disciples bowed in unison, their voices ringing out: “We welcome the return of the Heavenly Venerate!”

As the strongest Golden Immortal of the Jade Void’s second generation and one of the Daoist Nine Venerables, Guangchengzi was among the last of the great supernatural powers to awaken.

The higher one’s realm and the deeper one’s cultivation, the longer awakening took. Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, had awakened two years earlier than Guangchengzi.

Now, apart from the elusive True Lord Qingyuan Miaodao, Yang Jian, all disciples of the Jade Void had returned!

…

The brilliance of Mount Jiuhua’s star in the high heavens naturally drew the attention of those in the True Realm. But by now, such phenomena were commonplace. In recent years, similar events had occurred frequently, and many stars now rivaled the moon in brightness. Moreover, they were fully accessible—people could travel to them via the Mohists’ flying contraptions, voyaging through the starry skies.

Thus, the “territory” of the True Realm had expanded immeasurably.

These stars moved in clusters, forming celestial domains—some claimed by Buddhist, Jade Void, demonic, or ancient celestial factions.

Accustomed to such sights, people paid little heed. Those engrossed in the Myriad World Talisman merely lowered their heads, posting brief updates about another great power’s awakening before returning to the hottest topic of debate:

Who would be the next to prove their Legend?

Would it be the long-accumulating, path-defying Lu Da? The enigmatic and possibly already ascended Demon Teacher Han Guang? The rising star of the Sword Washing Pavilion, Jiang Zhiwei, or the Demon Emperor Qi Zhengyan, who carved his name in the Nine Nethers? Or perhaps a prodigy from one of the returned factions?

…

In the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun, Meng Qi practiced the Yin-Yang Seal, his body enveloped in swirling black-and-white light as he refined the “Book of Life and Death,” inscribing his insights from the Origin Point.

Over the years, he had drawn upon the ancient aura within the Jade Void’s ancient well, accelerating the spread of his projections across myriad worlds. Now, only one step remained—ensuring his “other-self projections” could naturally emerge with the birth of new universes.

…

In the small Langya courtyard, Ruan Yushu’s zither music grew increasingly fluid, infused with her own essence. Her inner world evolved accordingly, advancing toward the Earth Immortal realm.

The deeper fusion of the “Sky-Splitting, Earth-Shaking Tune” and the “Turtle-Back Longevity Score” caused a strange point of intertwined life and death to manifest behind her once more.

At that moment, a pitch-black finger extended from the void, pressing against the eerie point. It spun wildly, transforming into a swirling vortex of black and white. Ruan Yushu felt a chilling cold, her very breath freezing.

“Fellow Daoist Su, the time has come!” The voice of the Emperor of Fengdu echoed into the Jade Void Palace, reaching Meng Qi’s ears.

Meng Qi opened his eyes, stowed the “Book of Life and Death,” and grasped the Tree of Dao and the Tyrant’s Overlord Saber. With a soft sigh, he vanished, joining the Emperor of Fengdu as they plunged into the vortex of life and death.