Having ascended for over a hundred years, Zheng Yao had never felt as heavy-hearted as he did now.

Emerging from the teleportation array, he gazed silently at the magnificent palace pavilions before him.

This was one of the centers of the Great Luo Heaven.

Luye Laozu favored fine clothes and delicious food. Though she had ascended, she never mistreated herself in terms of clothing, food, housing, or travel. After defeating Immortal Lord Bixi on the battle platform and earning the title of Immortal Venerable, she had used great techniques to create out of thin air a vast immortal mansion, naming it “Shihong Realm.” On ordinary days, it was surrounded by white clouds with colorful mists drifting by.

Standing on the ground and looking up, it was like a mirage.

When he was in the Primordial Realm, Zheng Yao had already heard of her great reputation. After ascending to the Upper Void, he had also caught distant glimpses of her carefree demeanor due to his connection with Fudao Shanren. But he had never personally come here before, nor had he any real interaction with Luye Laozu.

Today, however, he had no choice but to come.

With matters weighing on his mind, Zheng Yao’s footsteps seemed somewhat heavy as he climbed step by step up the stairway through the white clouds, then tossed the visiting card from his hand toward the mansion gate.

The visiting card instantly disappeared into the gate, and immediately the great doors opened.

The immortal’s cave dwelling was wreathed in clouds and mist, with exotic grasses and jade trees planted everywhere, yet no bright strange flowers were to be seen.

Everything was green, without any red or pink.

A small path paved with white stones extended from the grass, crossed babbling streams, and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest beyond.

Zheng Yao had just stepped onto the path and walked to the stone bridge over the stream, about to follow the path into the forest, when unexpectedly a figure emerged from the forest first.

A light gray Daoist robe with deep blue embroidery around the edges.

It was a young man.

His appearance wasn’t particularly outstanding, his features rather plain, looking unremarkable at first glance. But upon closer sensing, one could tell his cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Great Luo Heaven—he was a rare saint immortal!

A small stone blade hung at his waist, but he held a visiting card in his hand.

Looking at it, Zheng Yao recognized it as the one he had just submitted.

The visiting card was left behind by Fudao Shanren before his wandering journey.

After that incident at the Kunwu Sea of Clouds, he seemed to have seen through many things and stopped caring about much, only still concerned about Yashan and several disciples.

When he left, he had only said: “The Upper Void is different from the Nineteen Continents. The seniors in this realm are all capable people, so I need not worry about them. That girl Jian Chou has great wisdom and doesn’t need concern either. But just in case—though I’m not afraid of ten thousand possibilities, I fear that one exception—I do have some old friendship with Luye after all. This visiting card can enter and exit her immortal mansion. Keep it for now. Should anything happen in the future, just take the card and pay your respects.”

Today, Zheng Yao had come precisely because something had happened.

But he hadn’t expected that before even meeting Luye Laozu, someone rather unexpected would emerge from this immortal mansion.

The saint immortal before him was none other than Buyu Shangren!

In the past, Zheng Yao had indeed seen Immortal Wuzhong in the Extreme Domain of the Primordial Realm and had heard various speculations about this “Buyu Shangren’s” ascension. But after ascending, Buyu Shangren had become a saint immortal, and Fudao Shanren had never mentioned lower realm affairs to Luye Laozu, so even though Zheng Yao had some doubts in his heart, he had suppressed them all and never spoken of them publicly.

Seeing the other party approaching with the visiting card, he remained composed.

He simply stopped on the bridge, showing a hint of hesitation, and cupped his hands toward the other party: “Shangren, this Zheng submitted a visiting card to pay respects to Laozu. May I ask what this is about?”

Everyone knew that after Buyu Shangren’s ascension, he had restored his youthful appearance. For cultivators, changing one’s appearance was far too easy, and people in the Upper Void had all seen him appear in youthful form from the beginning, so they never felt anything improper about it.

His features actually carried a hint of severity.

His long eyebrows were like knife cuts, and when he looked at people, he didn’t have that ash-gray obscurity of the lower realm’s Immortal Wuzhong, but rather displayed an iceberg-like sharpness.

His dark eyes were like deep pools.

Also stopping on the stone bridge, the deep blue corner of his Daoist robe quietly stilled with his movement. At this moment, his gaze had already circled around Zheng Yao’s body. He slightly cupped his hands in return and said: “Laozu is not currently in the mansion. Last month, the White Emperor invited her to drink, requesting both Laozu and the Immortal Lord to go to his Maori Palace to discuss matters of the Desolate Domain. She has not yet returned. I too have been waiting for her in this mansion for quite some time. I wonder what brings Sect Leader Zheng to visit so suddenly today?”

Invited by the White Crane Great Emperor?

With three Immortal Venerables sitting together to discuss matters, the Desolate Domain situation should have some developments.

Zheng Yao had his own speculations.

But hearing Buyu Shangren’s question, he felt an indescribable wrongness about it. Since his ascension to the Upper Void, he had heard that due to the grace of casually bestowing the “Nine Curves River Map” years ago, Buyu Shangren had always been aligned with Luye Laozu’s faction. And because he had quickly become one of the very few saint immortals, he had grown quite close to Luye Laozu, with some sense of mutual dependence. But no matter what, the other party shouldn’t directly ask him what he had come for today, should he?

This thought had just flashed through his mind, and before he could even open his mouth to respond, Buyu Shangren standing opposite him seemed to have already realized his earlier words were inappropriate, and changed his tone: “I was too presumptuous. I was just thinking that since I had some indirect connection with your Yashan’s Fudao Shanren in the past, I asked too eagerly. Since Sect Leader Zheng has come to find her, it would be proper to speak face to face with her when she returns.”

Zheng Yao had been the sect leader of Yashan for so many years after all. Although after ascending here he was just a small earth immortal, he was backed by Yashan after all.

After entering the Upper Void, the existence of sects wasn’t as important.

After all, Immortal Venerables could shatter stars with a gesture, often becoming so powerful that one could hold off ten thousand. Even mobilizing the entire strength of a great sect might not be able to match a single finger of an Immortal Venerable.

But the combat power of Yashan cultivators was still not to be underestimated.

Zheng Yao appeared leisurely but had very meticulous thoughts, especially at this special time—

As early as when the death warrant was first issued, Yashan had already learned that the person marked for death on that warrant was Jian Chou. Over these years, they had been secretly investigating who this “saint immortal” really was. Unfortunately, the Non-Evil Heaven had long been skilled at issuing death warrants with extremely tight security, never revealing even the slightest information about those behind the scenes, leaving them completely empty-handed.

Now, news was spreading throughout the Haotian Star Domain that Jian Chou had appeared.

Opportunists from surrounding star domains who knew this news had probably already swarmed there, just waiting to take Jian Chou’s head.

Everyone in Yashan was naturally furious.

Before he set out to visit Luye Laozu, Yashan had already dispatched thirty golden immortals and three saint immortals to rush to the Haotian Star Domain for reinforcement.

And his coming here was to find the person behind the scenes.

If it had been anyone else around Luye Laozu, Zheng Yao would have revealed his purpose without reservation today. But it just happened to be Buyu Shangren before him.

They still didn’t know whether what had ascended was the heart demon or not.

Everything from the past was mere speculation.

With his mind racing, Zheng Yao dared not speak directly at all, only showing an embarrassed smile to conceal his inner wariness: “Shangren speaks too seriously. This Zheng has come here without any important matter, but it’s really not convenient to discuss with Shangren. The truth is, Uncle Fudao went wandering recently and left some words, asking me to convey them to Laozu, so…”

Buyu Shangren suddenly raised his eyes, staring at Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao continued to smile awkwardly.

The atmosphere at this moment was truly indescribably subtle.

Zheng Yao could clearly feel this, of course. But while he grumbled inwardly, he didn’t show it on his face. Instead, he brazenly pretended to be completely unaware and cupped his hands again: “It’s nothing urgent. Since Laozu is not here, this Zheng will come again another day. Shangren, this visiting card…”

“Oh, please keep it, Sect Leader Zheng.”

Buyu Shangren seemed to have just realized, and after Zheng Yao’s reminder, he handed back the visiting card he had been holding, also showing a smile on his face.

Zheng Yao took the visiting card and put it away.

Then he bid farewell to Buyu Shangren, saying “I take my leave,” and departed through the open mansion gates.

Throughout the entire process, Buyu Shangren didn’t obstruct him.

He just stood on that bridge, watching from afar as Zheng Yao’s somewhat plump and steady figure gradually disappeared beyond the clouds.

The previous hint of a smile also faded with it.

Zheng Yao naturally couldn’t see these subtle changes behind him, and even after leaving the Shihong Realm, he didn’t look back even once.

Only when he stepped into the teleportation array to leave did his tense body finally relax.

As the spatial fluctuations hit him along with the cold wind, he felt cold sweat drenching his back!

Haotian Star Domain, Ang Su Star.

This desolate realm was ninety-nine percent covered by yellow sand, some places freezing cold, others scorching hot. Yet in this wasteland, there was such a place that demonstrated the wonder of creation—like grassland blown green by spring winds amidst this parched yellow desolation.

Ten thousand li of yellow sand, one point of oasis.

Like a secluded pool delicately painted by a master artist’s brush, or like half a verse of Dragon City sung by wandering poets.

Jiangnan Shore—it was a poetic name.

However, those currently gathered here were not poets at all.

A river flowed from the depths of the desert, passing through this low area and gradually converging, nourishing green grass and trees. Though not very lush, it was already considered a marvel on Ang Su Star where most places were barren.

A city was built upon this verdant land.

A high platform stood on the city wall with a black dragon banner planted on it, representing some unknown force.

Below the city wall, a crude wooden shed had been erected.

One could tell the wood was freshly conjured by cultivators casually using techniques—even the green leaves on the branches hadn’t been removed yet—just hastily assembled into a temporary resting place.

The countless cultivators who had come upon receiving Sun Cheng’s message were either in the city, scattered outside searching, or sitting here.

Initially, the people who came didn’t have very high cultivation.

But as time passed, the earth immortals no longer had the qualifications to remain here. After seeing several golden immortals appear at this location with murderous intent, quite a few quietly left, leaving only a few who didn’t know when to quit.

In others’ eyes, Jian Chou should have been one of them.

She was knowingly heading into danger, and when she first arrived at Jiangnan Shore when there weren’t many people yet, she had chosen an inconspicuous corner to sit down.

Her altered appearance looked extremely alluring.

But in the Upper Void immortal realm, no matter how beautiful one was, it was just skin deep, so even if others saw her, they wouldn’t pay attention. Moreover, because this appearance was too eye-catching, it made others quickly overlook her.

Because no one could have imagined her audacity.

Who would believe that someone who had just arrived in the Upper Void and immediately faced pursuit would dare to swagger into such a dangerous place?

Those who saw Jian Chou would at most guess she came from the Non-Evil Heaven.

So she sat there empty-handed, wearing loose black robes, cross-legged in the corner without the slightest guilt, listening to the noisy discussions of the cultivators present.

“Sun Cheng had been ascended for hundreds of years, right? To think he just died like that…”

“What’s the background of this Jian Chou?”

“I heard she’s from Yashan.”

“Wow!”

“Look at you! Years ago, Yashan already issued a prohibition, saying this Jian Chou is a disciple of Yashan, advising others not to act rashly, or else they would be enemies of Yashan. You don’t even know this and you dare come here?”

“Then fellow daoist, how do you dare to come?”

“I’m here to watch the excitement.”

“But if this female cultivator really just ascended, her cultivation is somewhat frightening. When I first ascended, I was really like a greenhorn, couldn’t even find my direction. This one called Jian Chou actually just disappeared like that.”

“Maybe she’s already left Ang Su?”

“Those who ascend from the Primordial Realm are really not ordinary people. What do you think, could she be like Laozu and Shangren?”

“What do you mean?”

“Needless to say about Laozu, and even the later ascended Buyu Shangren—didn’t he also have shocking strength right after arriving in the Upper Void? In just over a thousand years, he’s cultivated to become a saint immortal. Though his speed can’t match Laozu, it’s still considered outstanding in the Upper Void.”

“Right, those from the Primordial Realm are all extraordinary!”

“This shows your ignorance. The Primordial Realm is the first realm after Pangu Dazun opened heaven and earth. How could it be the same as other realms?”

“Yes, didn’t the Immortal Venerables use great formations to divine about the Primordial Realm four hundred years ago?”

“Divine what?”

“How would I know? I just heard they didn’t divine any results.”

“Ah, I always feel this one called Jian Chou, disappearing just like that, is even more extraordinary than Laozu was back then. Could there be a second Laozu emerging?”

“Bullshit!”

Everyone was chattering and arguing, half-seriously preparing to discuss those shocking stories about Luye Laozu from years past, when unexpectedly, just as the speculative talk began, a contemptuous and decisive voice came from overhead.

The wooden shed below the city wall immediately fell silent.

Including several golden immortals, everyone frowned, hearing the disdain in those two words.

Jian Chou was also stunned.

She was new to this realm and curious about what legendary experiences the former ruler of the Mingri Star Sea, Luye Laozu, had after reaching the Upper Void immortal realm, but unexpectedly someone interrupted.

And with such an impolite remark…

With slightly furrowed brows, she had already sensed some aura.

She keenly raised her head and, along with everyone else, looked up following the sound.

On the high platform of the city wall, the fluttering black dragon banner had somehow been pulled down and was now serving as a cushion beneath an elder dressed in black and white Daoist robes.

The elder’s robes were black and white, and his hair and beard were also black and white.

Black and white each occupied half.

White hair on the left, white eyebrows on the right, black hair on the left, black beard on the right, looking chaotic and topsy-turvy. He held a willow-leaf qin in his arms, stroking his beard while gazing into the distance, with an air of treating everyone as nothing, aloof and proud.

The one who had mentioned “a second Laozu” was an earth immortal with decent cultivation, thinking he had just spoken casually—how had he earned those two words “bullshit”?

Feeling indignant and quite displeased with this uninvited guest, he immediately slapped the table and stood up, frowning: “We were just talking nonsense to pass the time. Even if you have different opinions, there’s no need for such foul language, is there?”

“Bullshit!”

This male cultivator had already spoken quite restrainedly, but after his words, the elder sitting high on the city wall platform still responded with those same two disdainful words.

Said with such vigor and resounding force!

Everyone below was stunned.

The male cultivator who had been called “bullshit” twice in a row turned red and blue alternately, but actually didn’t dare speak again.

Everyone knew the Upper Void was full of cunning people.

Generally speaking, arrogant people must have the strength to be arrogant, otherwise they wouldn’t know how they died.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, one of the golden immortals finally recognized the depths and his eyelid twitched. He rose from his seat and respectfully cupped his hands in a bow toward the heights, saying courteously: “I once heard elders in my sect mention that in the Great Luo Heaven there is a saint immortal who uses a willow qin as his instrument, has a strange temperament, travels in all directions, and has not appeared before people for many years. His dao title is ‘Daoist Diandao.’ Seeing him today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes. This junior Jin Yinzi pays his respects to—”

This cultivator who called himself Jin Yinzi was also dressed richly.

Robes of gold and silver colors that were truly dazzling to look at.

His words were quite refined, and those who didn’t know might really think he was a cultured person.

Unfortunately, the senior sitting cross-legged on the high wall didn’t like to hear it and couldn’t even be bothered to let him finish, letting out a cold laugh without giving any face: “Your mother’s bullshit!”

Forget Jin Yinzi—even Jian Chou, who was listening in secret, couldn’t help but twitch her eyebrows: she had really never seen such a daoist who had spoken three sentences but somehow managed to mention “bullshit” in all three!