In the night sky, the red sun was disintegrating, detonating inch by inch. This sight stunned everyone!
Pu Heng, Cao Qianqiu's chief disciple, possessed extremely profound cultivation, yet he was being battered into repeated explosions by a single fist. Where had this powerhouse come from? Everyone found it unbelievable as they looked toward the youth atop the golden exotic bird.
Rumble! Sheets of blood-red lightning intertwined. The red sun plummeted westward and then burst apart completely.
"Ah..."
A suppressed roar sounded as the shattered red sun reconvened. This was precisely the terrifying aspect of pure yang consciousness—it was exceedingly difficult to truly destroy.
For pure yang consciousness had either undergone "tribulation" or been baptized by "immortal fire," already possessing nascent traits of immortality and inextinguishability.
Why were disciples of the immortal path so confident? Indeed, they grew ever more formidable in the later stages, and their cultivation speed was rapid, allowing them to advance by leaps and bounds for a long time.
"You don't have your master's fortune, yet you've caught his sickness."
The youth atop the golden exotic bird spoke. Dressed in coarse hemp clothing, he carried an air of returning to simplicity. Who dared offer such commentary?
At least in this domain of Feixian Academy, aside from Sun Taichu, perhaps no one else would dare speak like that.
It was undeniable that Cao Qianqiu's lineage was abhorred by gods and ghosts alike; even dogs by the roadside would want to lunge and bite them. Needless to say how ordinary people viewed them, yet they were simply absurdly powerful, and no one could do anything against them.
All these years, Cao Qianqiu had blotted out the sky with one hand, strangling peerless figures like the Overlord, kicking through who knew how many "iron plates," and toppling monumental seniors one after another.
It could be said that everyone watched him bore straight through everything in his path, completely unstoppable.
His disciples and followers had consequently developed similar temperaments, wanting to emulate Cao Qianqiu in every matter and taking their master as their ultimate goal.
Furthermore, because they truly were astonishingly strong, they rarely suffered setbacks.
There had been only one exception: Cao Qianqiu's favored fourth disciple had been utterly arrogant and ended up kicking an "exotic metal plate," being squeezed to death and blown apart by the Overlord, who had an equally bad temper and overwhelming dominance.
The other disciples had behaved domineeringly to this day without ever running into disaster.
Objectively speaking, Pu Heng drew immense hatred, but among his generation, he truly was a standout, which made people feel helpless.
Counting all the different paths, he could already sit in the front row.
Many even rumored that he possessed twenty percent of Cao Qianqiu's prowess!
"Who are you?" Pu Heng reappeared, standing within the red sun. His expression was grave, no longer as conceited as before.
"Hm?!" A select few were greatly shocked, sharply noticing that the red sun in the sky had dimmed considerably.
This was rather terrifying! Clearly, Pu Heng was injured.
A portion of the scarlet mist from his nascently immortal, inextinguishable pure yang consciousness had actually been severed!
Qin Ming looked at the silhouette in the night sky. Was that "Senior Brother" Lu Zizai of the Six Imperials ancestral court? Why did he feel somewhat different?
"Stand aside!" the hemp-robed youth spoke, not giving Pu Heng the slightest face.
Within the red sun, Pu Heng looked grim. Aside from his teacher, who dared lecture him like this? Especially someone from the Newborn path! Even several of their patriarchs were senile and old with no successors in sight. Where had this kid popped out from?
"Foul mouths bring death," the hemp-robed youth warned.
A disciple of Qingtian laughed. "Pu Heng, do you really think you're Cao Qianqiu? You've got his temper, but not his cultivation. You'll meet a violent end sooner or later."
No one had expected such a mighty figure to leap out from the Newborn path. Though his name remained unknown, looking at his bearing, this was a super powerhouse capable of blowing Pu Heng to pieces!
People from the immortal path, the esoteric sect path, and the aberrant path harbored mixed feelings. How could someone capable of hoisting the banner emerge from this seemingly declining Newborn path?
Many Newborns were incomparably thrilled. A good number were present tonight, and upon seeing this, some of the older fellows even felt their eyes well up.
They had truly felt that this path was failing; with several patriarchs nearing their demise, there was virtually no hope left.
For many years, no one had been able to pioneer the path forward.
In particular, where had the outstanding disciples they trained ended up? Every single one had gone off to serve as guards or outer-mountain protectors for others.
Chi-la!
In the night sky, lightning shone in all directions. Pu Heng drew a longsword inscribed with phoenix patterns. Pure yang aura inundated the heavens and the earth, shattering the night fog; this was an exceedingly terrifying exotic treasure.
The most dazzling presence here was naturally Sun Taichu within the golden sun. He waved a hand, restraining Pu Heng and preventing him from acting.
"So it is you."
Sun Taichu sat cross-legged atop the clouds with a faint smile. The golden sun shone across all ten directions, dispersing Pu Heng's scarlet glow while causing the golden exotic bird and the youth on its back to dim.
Even though Sun Taichu appeared gentle and placid, he was still from the outer pure land after all, and he would not simply watch Pu Heng suffer a loss.
"To think you can still appear, surviving to this day."
Sun Taichu smiled, the golden glow radiating from him growing intensely magnificent, illuminating both the heavens and the earth.
People saw the golden exotic bird tremble, faltering in the air.
Furthermore, the hemp-robed youth on its back transformed: his black hair turned white, and his frame rapidly shot upward, turning into a giant surging with golden radiance.
People saw the aura of dusk and decay upon him. This was no youth; having endured through long years, his remaining lifespan was likely running dry.
"I wish to live another life!" the golden giant spoke, six colors of radiant mist diffusing around him into clouds, circling at his flanks.
"Six Imperials heavenly light!" Some from the immortal path and the esoteric sects were alarmed, recognizing the substance composing the golden giant.
Qin Ming understood immediately. This was the giant he had seen before.
When practicing the Heluo Classic at the Six Imperials ancestral court, he had experienced "spirit wandering" between waking and dreaming.
At that time, figures suspected to be Lu Zizai and the Six Imperials Patriarch were conversing. Behind each of them was dense black fog, and beside each stood a colossal figure.
Qin Ming surmised that this golden giant was likely Lu Zizai's cultivation from the "past."
If that were the case, the giant behind the Six Imperials Patriarch he had seen back then had been heavily stained with blood, which clearly meant something was wrong.
Sun Taichu shook his head with a smile. "The potential of your path has reached its end. The vast sea of night fog stretches across your way, blocking what lies ahead; it cannot be crossed. Now, though you are old, your heavenly light is blended with your consciousness, equaling pure yang. Why not join my outer realm, switch to the immortal path, and extend your life for another lifetime?"
Disciples of the immortal path, esoteric sects, and higher aberrants were all greatly shaken. Sun Taichu seemed gentle, yet by shining his pure yang consciousness to expose the true, decaying state of the hemp-robed youth, his methods proved fathomless.
Moreover, was he offering advice, or seeking to use irresistible might to subdue a mysterious powerhouse of the Newborn path and have him switch allegiances? No matter how one looked at it, Sun Taichu appeared unfathomable.
The hearts of those on the Newborn path sank. Their earlier excitement and boiling blood were snuffed out rapidly; reality was just that cold.
"Not my path, not my method. Do you intend to strike against me?" Lu Zizai asked.
Sun Taichu smiled. "I observe that something seems amiss with your body, faintly linked to a glimmer of vitality in the distance. I merely wish to take your pulse and make a diagnosis."
Just then, a boiling sun abruptly appeared far off in the night sky. It was terrifying, appalling, composed of unimaginably concentrated heavenly light. The radiance it cast caused even Sun Taichu's pure yang consciousness to sway faintly.
Everyone was alarmed. Had a true patriarch of the Newborn path arrived?!
Sun Taichu smiled. Sitting cross-legged, the great sun around him expanded into ten thousand strands of golden rosy mist, dispersing the clouds and fog in the night sky and making brief contact with the boiling heavenly light of the distant sun.
Both suns trembled slightly, then steadied once more.
People saw that Sun Taichu was like the morning sun emerging over the sea, filled with boundless golden light, rising steadily and brimming with vibrant vitality.
Yet in the distance, though that boiling heavenly light remained magnificent, its truth had been illuminated: it was already entwined with an aura of decay, accompanied by black mist.
That patriarch did not have much time left; he was likely not long for this world!
The area fell completely silent, with people of each path harboring entirely different emotions.
One could see that the disciples of the immortal path could hardly hide their delight. They saw an incomparably dazzling future; the patriarchs of the outer realm were still pioneering the path, and their prospects were boundless.
Those on the Newborn path, however, felt as if cast into an icehouse. Their hearts turned thoroughly cold. Now everyone saw that a figure at the patriarch level had nearly exhausted his lifespan.
"Fine methods!" A voice called out from the boiling heavenly light in the distance.
Evidently, Sun Taichu had not clashed directly, but simply by illuminating the truth of his decay, he had thoroughly swayed the minds of many.
That patriarch spoke, "What is the Newborn path? At the end of decay, how can one know there will be no revival? The sea of fog stretches across our path, but who can say the other side is not a brand-new continent? Leaping across to attain newborn rebirth—this path is waiting for true successors."
Yet these words could not rouse the fighting spirit of the Newborns present. They only knew that several patriarchs were dying, and the hemp-robed youth was no new standard-bearer either, with little lifespan remaining.
For those who walked this path, the heavens had collapsed!
Qin Ming felt a heavy weight on his heart. Sun Taichu gently shining his golden glow carried a lethality just as immense as Cao Qianqiu's earth-shaking strike.
In the sky, those blazing suns all extinguished, disappearing without a trace, clearly with no intention of a true, cataclysmic collision.
Soon, cheerful laughter arose from Feixian Academy. Immortal seeds would take the stage shortly to discuss their insights and comprehension. Since they were of the same age group, it felt far more relatable.
It was also largely because they once again felt the glory of their path, lifting their spirits.
The people of the esoteric sects remained calm, for they knew their own patriarchs dared to show utter disrespect to the gods, possessing the strength to truly disdain the world.
Those higher aberrants were likewise serene, since legendary beings like godkin creatures were their predecessors; their path naturally had mighty experts.
Even Wu Yaozu muttered under his breath, "Brother, the Newborn path really isn't cutting it. Looks like the immortal path is truly formidable; I ought to take good notes."
Having stepped out of the peril, his goal was to perfect the path of "rainbow transformation" by drawing upon the strengths of various paths.
"Let us welcome Cui Chonghe!" A strikingly beautiful female disciple of Feixian Academy spoke, presiding over the proceedings.
Cui Chonghe appeared, enveloped in drifting white mist and a faint immortal radiance. As he mounted a high platform, he instantly elicited a wave of fervent cheers.
As Sun Taichu's last disciple, he naturally commanded immense attention, drawing every eye upon him.
"Is this the one who attained sudden enlightenment at the age of three? Truly transcendent and refined, imbued with profound immortal charm, just like a young immortal descending into the mortal world!"
"He is a paragon among our generation, one of the few standing at the very pinnacle of the pyramid. Not many peers could even take a single finger from him."
Some marveled, while others lavished high praise.
Many youths gazed at the figure on the high stage, their eyes gleaming with envy and longing. Several female disciples even screamed aloud, shouting Cui Chonghe's name.
Cui Chonghe behaved very amiably. Under the gaze of thousands, he kept a constant smile, a trait quite reminiscent of his master, Sun Taichu.
When he stepped down from the platform, a commotion almost broke out. Many wished to press forward, hoping to get close and converse with him, but they were quickly held back by experts of Feixian Academy.
"There will be time for everyone to interact shortly."
An elder spoke, finally quieting the crowd.
Afterward, another immortal seed took the stage, named Sun Jingxiao. Gallant and dignified, he was exceptionally imposing, though clearly not as popular as Cui Chonghe.
"It's him."
Qin Ming revealed a look of surprise. He had seen him aboard the airship Vermilion Bird and had even gone together to that "pure land" in the sky to harvest various outer vital energies.
He did not want to reminisce further, because he had fallen from there, his entire body blown apart.
Finally, a young woman took the stage, immediately causing a massive sensation. With jade-like skin and an otherworldly countenance, ethereal and transcendent, she possessed beauty that could topple cities. A peerless beauty, she was naturally wildly popular among the youths.
"That is Li Qingyue. She once relied on her own strength alone to shatter a concerted effort by her sect fellows, fighting her way to the top entirely on her own. She is an immortal-adjacent seed of the highest caliber!" someone said with open admiration.
"She truly has beauty, talent, and an endless future—the ideal heavenly maiden of our generation!" Many praised, sparking heated discussions all around.
Like an immortal blossom, accompanied by white mist, Li Qingyue swayed with brilliant splendor in the night. Mounting the stage under thousands of watching eyes, she shared her insights, her melodious voice ringing across the arena.
"This lady... really is at the very top. Exceptionally outstanding," Wu Yaozu could not help but comment.
"Mind your words," Qin Ming said.
Wu Yaozu was puzzled. "What's wrong, Brother? I'm telling the truth. When we talked about Sun Jingxiao and Cui Chonghe just now, you didn't mind at all. Why the double standard?"
Qin Ming admonished him sternly, "Speaking like that is somewhat disrespectful to her. What did your grandmother instruct you? Understand propriety and observe decorum."
"Did Grandmother say that?" He looked down at the plaque hanging around his neck.
In the end, Qin Ming did not go to see Li Qingyue. At an exchange gathering like this, that area was ringed tight by immortal path disciples; there were simply too many people.
An immortal-adjacent seed like her was naturally dazzling beyond measure, commanding attention from every quarter under the gaze of all. A "nobody" like Qin Ming could not possibly squeeze through, and even if he reached her side, there was little he could say.
"The fair maiden is like a flower beyond the clouds, above lies the azure sky of..." Wu Yaozu chanted, swaying his head.
"You just came out of the peril. What on earth have you been learning?" Qin Ming glanced at him.
"Didn't you tell me to read more books?" Little Wu retorted.
When the two returned to Shanhe Academy and were walking through a grove of trees, a tiny golden bird on a branch released its claws. A letter drifted down and landed in Qin Ming's hand.
He looked up just in time to spot the little bird. It looked remarkably like the one on Lu Zizai's shoulder, only even smaller now! Sensing someone approaching, the tiny golden bird flashed away into the woods.
"An illusion? Why did I feel as though an unfathomable senior flashed past here for a fleeting moment?" A purple-eyed crow flew over.
Behind it were two people. A cloaked woman was exceptionally tall, her entire form shrouded in faint mist.
Chapter 189