The stone steps were covered in moss, and the winding path led deep into the mountains. As Sun Wu walked along, the Jade Void Palace vanished from sight, leaving him with a genuine sense of being unable to discern the true face of Mount Lu. A solemn and reverent feeling welled up within him.
After walking for an unknown length of time, the young Sun Wu’s legs began to ache. Just then, his eyes brightened—the simple, ancient Taoist temple he had glimpsed at the foot of the mountain finally appeared at the end of his vision, bathed in golden light and nestled among the trees.
Straightening his attire, Sun Wu took a step forward. Suddenly, four beams of light—red, blue, black, and white—soared out from the temple. The surrounding elements of earth, fire, wind, and water seemed to boil illusorily, making his skin alternate between hot and cold, dry and damp.
It was as if only now had the Jade Void Palace revealed a glimpse of its celestial wonders.
After walking a while longer, the swirling lights around the temple condensed into a vortex, collapsing inward toward the center as if returning to primordial chaos, merging into the boundless Wuji.
Taking another step, Sun Wu saw the temple suddenly darken. The surrounding void twisted and writhed as if endowed with its own spirit. The distance, once fixed, now seemed at times within arm’s reach and at others impossibly far away.
The illusory collapse seemed to form a thin sheet of paper, which then curled into a single point, falling behind the Jade Void Palace. The darkness immediately dissipated, and sunlight once again bathed the area.
Beads of sweat formed on Sun Wu’s forehead unbidden. He couldn’t comprehend why such strange phenomena were occurring.
After a few more steps, he felt as though the ancient temple had grown heavier, merging with the entire mountain range, the vast lands of the Great Zhou, and the boundless earth itself, becoming immovable and unshakable. His own body also grew heavier, as if bearing an increasing gravitational pull from the earth.
A few breaths later, Sun Wu’s steps suddenly lightened. The restraints, the pull, and the weight vanished completely, and the Jade Void Palace returned to normal.
Just as he sighed in relief, the clear blue sky collapsed with a thunderous roar. The void split open, winds raged, and darkness enveloped everything. The crushing weight returned, and his body felt as though it were about to be flattened into paste—a scene of impending doom.
After a brief moment of darkness, Sun Wu’s senses returned. The temple and the sky were as they had been, unchanged.
What was happening? Was this some kind of initiation test? Puzzled, Sun Wu quickened his pace.
Just as he was about to reach the Jade Void Palace, a hazy purple mist rose from the temple, expanding and contracting rhythmically.
*Thump, thump, thump.* Sun Wu heard his own heartbeat—violent and abnormal, as if it were about to leap from his chest and fly out of his throat.
*Thump, thump, thump.* Blood surged through his veins. His head swelled, his legs thickened, and his vision turned crimson. Hallucinations flooded his sight, threatening to drive him mad.
At that moment, the purple light dissipated, and the mist was sucked into a mysteriously appearing vortex. Sun Wu’s heartbeat immediately returned to normal.
A gentle breeze brushed his face, rustling the leaves with a tranquil sound. Coming back to his senses, he found himself standing at the entrance of the Jade Void Palace, where a peculiar, verdant plant stood tall beside him.
“Finally made it…” Sun Wu exhaled deeply.
No sooner had he spoken than a cheerful voice reached his ears:
“The Sect Master is waiting for you.”
Startled, Sun Wu turned to see the plant waving its branches, having come to life.
*Weird…* Sun Wu nearly cried out. Fortunately, his past life had exposed him to many horrors—corpses, ghosts, and monsters—so he managed to suppress his fear and forced a smile. “Thank you, Senior Brother, for guiding me.”
The Great Green Root beamed with delight. “Haha, no need to call me Senior Brother. I’m just a humble gatekeeper of the Jade Void Palace. Back in the day, I listened to the teachings of the Great Lord Primordial Heavenly Venerable. Now, I handle deliveries for the Jade Void and occasionally manage parts of the Myriad Worlds Knowledge Sphere. In the future, I might even call you ‘Young Master’!”
Puffing out its chest, it proudly recounted its achievements, eager to establish itself as a venerable elder of the Jade Void in the eyes of the newcomer.
“I wouldn’t dare presume. I’ll surely trouble you often in the future, Elder,” Sun Wu replied. Far from being an ordinary ten-year-old, his past life had honed his social graces, and he smoothly addressed the plant as an elder.
*The Jade Void Palace employs plant spirits who have lived for tens of thousands of years as gatekeepers—truly a celestial sanctuary!*
The Great Green Root grew even more pleased and led Sun Wu through the main gate, across the courtyard, and to the hall’s entrance. There, a sleek black hound crouched, eyeing Sun Wu with curiosity.
Under the dog’s gaze, Sun Wu felt a terror that threatened to scatter his soul. It wasn’t malice but an innate, instinctive fear—like a mortal facing a tiger or a warrior encountering a zombie king.
*This must be the legendary Howling Heaven Hound, who made a name for itself in the Battle of the Sealing Altar—the one who famously bit the Future Buddha!*
A genuine Legendary powerhouse! In today’s world, countless mighty figures Sun Wu once revered were now deemed “not even worthy of a dog” in comparison…
The Howling Heaven Hound crouched imposingly. As Sun Wu approached, it suddenly barked, “You gotta call me Senior Brother!”
“I’m the battle companion of the Jade Void’s third-generation disciples. You’re the disciple of the Little Martial Uncle, so we’re peers. Rank is based on who joined first!”
Sun Wu shivered at first, then happily replied, “Greetings, Senior Brother Howling Heaven.”
*To have a Legendary powerhouse as a senior brother right off the bat—this is the grandeur of the Jade Void Palace!*
Entering the main hall, Sun Wu first saw the solemn and majestic statue of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, exuding an aura of profound depth. Seated below it, mirroring the statue’s presence like another Heavenly Venerable, was Meng Qi.
Dressed in a water-harmony Taoist robe and wearing a fan-cloud crown, Meng Qi sat cross-legged with his hands resting casually on his knees. Though motionless and silent, he seemed to reside at an infinite height, overlooking all things in the world.
*This is no longer the Su Meng of the past…* Sun Wu’s memories of his past life surged. He could no longer see traces of the reckless “Mad Blade” Su Meng in the face of the Yuanhuang Immortal Venerable. The features were the same, but the aura had transformed.
He was now the strongest below the Creation Realm, the first since the Middle Ages to prove his Legendary status, the Sect Master of the ancient celestial sanctuary, the Jade Void Palace—no longer the young man who had once teamed up with Sun Wu to complete reincarnation missions.
Amidst his swirling thoughts, Sun Wu’s rationality overcame sentimentality. Taking a deep breath, he sealed away his past memories and knelt solemnly, kowtowing deeply. “Disciple Sun Wu pays homage to Master!”
From this day forth, before the Yuanhuang Immortal Venerable, there would be no more Luo Shengyi—only the disciple Sun Wu.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
“Your past life shares a connection with me, hence your induction into this sect.”
“Those who enter the Jade Void Palace must abide by seven precepts: First, do not deceive your master or betray your ancestors. Second, do not commit evil deeds. Third… Should you violate these, do not blame me for personally cleansing the sect. Do you agree to uphold these precepts?”
Sun Wu kowtowed again, solemnly replying, “This disciple agrees.”
“Good. Perform three kneelings and nine kowtows before the statue of our founding patriarch, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, and before me, and you will be formally initiated,” Meng Qi said with a smile.
Sun Wu took another deep breath, sensing that his life was about to change. With utmost solemnity, he began the three kneelings and nine kowtows.
*Dong!*
He Mu struck the ancient bell in the hall, its resonant tones soaring to the heavens.
*Dong!*
As the bell’s echoes faded, the mist rolled back in. The magnificent ancient temple at the foot of the mountain vanished from sight once more, hidden again in the depths of the clouds.
“Congratulations, Patriarch Sun.” “Our felicitations, Patriarch Sun.” Faces filled with genuine joy or concealed envy turned toward Sun Wu’s father.
Patriarch Sun stroked his beard, unable to contain his delight.
Inside the Jade Void Palace’s main hall, Meng Qi pointed to He Mu, who had struck the bell.
“This is your eldest senior brother, He Mu. He has already become a Grandmaster, just one step away from the Dharmakaya.”
Then he gestured to the three seated nearby. “This is your second senior sister, Fang Huaying, also a Grandmaster. Third Senior Brother Yu Banshan has just entered the Master realm. Fourth Senior Sister Qi Jinxiu is a peak expert. Get to know them well.”
The strange phenomena Sun Wu had witnessed earlier were the result of Meng Qi’s perfected cultivation. He had refined and elevated the Four Symbols Seal, the Void Seal, the Earth Seal, the Heaven-Overturning Seal, and the Heart Seal into the near-Dao state of boundless chaos. Even parts of the Four Swords of the Numinous Treasure’s Slaying Immortal Sword Formation had been integrated into the concept of the “Ultimate,” hence the manifestations.
Sun Wu looked them over. Eldest Senior Brother He Mu was clean-cut, with the air of a scholar. Second Senior Sister Fang Huaying had a somewhat stern face, but it complemented her resolute and decisive nature, making her far from unattractive. Both were renowned figures on the Earth Ranking.
Third Senior Brother Yu Banshan appeared like a dashing young noble but was actually mature and steady. Fourth Senior Sister Qi Jinxiu was an elegant palace lady, gentle and refined.
After greeting each in turn, Sun Wu sat back down. Then the Yuanhuang Immortal Venerable spoke: “Our sect has two foundational techniques: the *Primordial Golden Chapter* and the *Seventy-Two Transformations*. Which would you like to cultivate, or would you prefer to study both?”
Sun Wu recalled scenes and aspirations from his past life and replied firmly, “Better to master one than dabble in many. This disciple wishes to learn the *Seventy-Two Transformations*.”
The indestructible body, immense strength, and myriad transformations of the *Seventy-Two Transformations* perfectly suited his preferred path of invincible iron fists.
“Well said,” Meng Qi praised. Casually, he added, “In this temple, there’s no need for excessive formality. Your senior brothers and sisters are easy to get along with. Now, after your journey here, do you have any questions?”
Sun Wu thought for a moment and smiled. “Our sect is a celestial sanctuary. This disciple expected to see immortal birds dancing, auspicious beasts roaming, and Taoist youths and divine attendants creating an ethereal scene. Yet it’s all so… unadorned.”
Meng Qi chuckled and shook his head. “Why chase external trappings? Trivial matters are handled by the Great Green Root. You and your fellow disciples need only lend a hand when needed. Now, all of you may go and focus on your cultivation.”
…
A few days later, a new bounty appeared in the Myriad Worlds Mall:
“High reward sought for young immortal birds or auspicious beasts—those with corresponding bloodlines also acceptable!”
…
As Sun Wu began his training, the Howling Heaven Hound was summoned into Meng Qi’s meditation chamber.
“Little Martial Uncle, what do you need me for?” the hound asked, crouching.
Meng Qi nodded. “Take my talisman and infiltrate the Netherworld. Observe the current state of affairs.”
With the death of the Fengdu Emperor, the underworld was without a ruler. Turmoil, covert struggles, and open conflicts were inevitable. It was best to plan ahead.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage