Within the subterranean world, numerous trials and perilous domains lay scattered. Ahead, a formidable hazard presented itself: a surging underground river, a torrent of churning, inky water.

Its waves rose layer upon layer, dense and chaotic; the closeness offered no glimpse of shadow, truly befitting the saying: Rivers of rolling ink, leagues of flowing ash. By this riverbank, all life perished.

Even the subterranean Demonic Bulls dared not drink, for the water meant instant death. Crows would not fly above it; heavy, black malevolent energies hung over the dark river, ensuring any bird attempting passage would plummet.

Within the black river itself, not a single living creature could be found. This river was named the Black Water River, one of the subterranean world's great dangers.

Cultivators below the Longevity Realm () could not survive entering it. Even cultivators above the Longevity Realm might not last long.

For those at the Grand Dao Realm (), it posed few direct threats, but considerable trouble nonetheless. If the peril lay only in the natural hazard of the river itself, that would be manageable.

However, this Black Water River had been long cultivated and garrisoned by the Purple Qilin Demon King (), one of the Four Great Demon Kings. Within the river lay countless hidden killing intents.

The Righteous Immortal Sects had halted here for a full day. The Four Great Demon Kings, led by the Purple Qilin Demon King—rumored to be a female whose power neared that of the two Demon Sovereigns—had established this as the first major obstacle.

Consequently, the Righteous Immortal Sects found themselves stalled at this initial threshold. Indeed, the current strength of the Righteous Immortal Sects far surpassed the subterranean demons, but leveling them swiftly and entirely was an impossibility.

At this moment, numerous Grand Dao Realm masters from the Righteous Immortal Sects were gathered in consultation. Present were Chu Duan (), Sect Master of the Mount Hua Immortal Sect; Song Qingqiao (), Sect Master of the Wudang Immortal Sect; Ren Bining (), Sect Master of the Qingcheng Immortal Sect; and Zhuge Ge (), Sect Master of the Kunlun Immortal Sect.

This campaign into the Underworld represented an endeavor of immense merit and tremendous potential gain, compelling the four supreme Sect Masters to participate personally. In addition, Sect Masters from mid-tier immortal sects were in attendance, such as Master Hailing (), the Sect Master of the Wuling Immortal Sect.

A conclave of esteemed leaders had assembled. Their discussion naturally centered on assaulting the Black Water River.

The Black Water River offered the demons supremacy in timing, terrain, and manpower; it was not easily taken by force. However, even if the demons held the immediate advantage in circumstances, the overarching momentum clearly lay with the Righteous Immortal Sects.

It would simply take more time and greater effort—nothing insurmountable. Chu Duan sat radiating an imposing, heaven-shaking aura.

Ren Bining, the only woman among the assembled Sect Masters, possessed an elegant bearing and unparalleled grace as she sat. Kunlun’s Master, Zhuge Ge, with his white beard and brows, known as the "Old Undying One," kept his thoughts entirely inscrutable.

Wudang’s Sect Master, Song Qingqiao, was grave and composed, offering no utterance. Each held private schemes and calculations.

Their true concern extended beyond the immediate obstacle of the Black Water River; they focused on how to reap the greatest spoils from the Underworld. Everyone knew the subterranean demons were essentially doomed; the question was how much they could secure before the end.

Suddenly, a messenger burst in with alarming speed, causing the Sect Masters' eyebrows to leap. Such a high-level assembly rarely suffered interruptions; what urgent crisis warranted such haste?

The messenger flew in without pause, speaking immediately: "The Undying Earth () side—it's enveloped by formations! The six Grand Dao Realm figures assigned to guard it cannot breach the perimeter at all." "What!" Chu Duan’s brow shot up, and the other Sect Masters displayed varied expressions.

They were all shrewd figures; none mistook this for anything less than a catastrophe. The potential fallout of this incident was almost unimaginable.

The Righteous Immortal Sects might suffer debilitating injury from this campaign, perhaps needing a century to recover their strength. They had never anticipated such a loophole being exploited.

None foresaw that the subterranean demons would employ such a tactic, allowing the six observing Grand Dao Realm experts to be neutralized while disaster struck elsewhere. The immediate question was: what now?

How would they handle this? Chu Duan immediately roared, "We must proceed there immediately!

The Black Water River campaign can wait; we resolve the issue at the Undying Earth first." With that, the Sect Masters shot into the sky, rocketing towards the Undying Earth. Though the Underworld was vast and the Black Water River was some distance away, the combined speed of the charging Sect Masters was like meteors streaking across the firmament—lightning, fire, wind, and lamp oil.

Chu Duan guided his immortal sword, cleaving space itself to arrive instantly. Song Qingqiao merged with heaven and earth.

The Old Undying One, Zhuge Ge, made no apparent move yet travelled with alarming swiftness. Ren Bining moved with exquisite elegance, yet breathtaking speed.

Unquestionably, Chu Duan was the fastest. After a brief period, they all landed within the Undying Earth.

Upon arrival, the assembled Sect Masters witnessed a scene utterly contrary to their expectations. The Azure Earth Demon Marquis () lay slain upon the ground.

Who could have done this? Which Sword Immortal of the Longevity Realm could possibly contend with the Azure Earth Demon Marquis?

What was happening? Chu Duan roared, "Who eliminated the Azure Earth Demon Marquis?" All the Longevity Realm Sword Immortals present turned their gazes toward Lu Yuan ().

Chu Duan demanded, "You dealt with the Azure Earth Demon Marquis?" His expression was deeply perplexed. He was well aware that Lu Yuan was currently only at the Longevity Realm, and it was fundamental knowledge that Longevity could not overcome Grand Dao.

Lu Yuan offered a slight nod, and that simple gesture shattered Chu Duan’s understanding of established knowledge—or perhaps, the established knowledge of the entire Jin Kingdom's cultivation world. Chu Duan examined Lu Yuan closely: truly a monstrous prodigy.

Why was such a junior aligned with the Sword Qi Sect? While this was fortunate for the sect, it posed a problem for Chu Duan’s future goal of unifying the three major sects, which would necessitate Lu Yuan becoming his subordinate.

Zhuge Ge, that ancient master, rarely displayed any emotion, regardless of the circumstances. Yet now, his composure cracked.

Despite being the most senior present, he had never witnessed such an anomaly—a true wonder from heaven, how utterly strange! This Old Undying One prized his beard above all else; once, when a Grand Dao cultivator damaged a few strands, he hunted that person for three days and nights until the Elder Council intervened.

Now, however, he unconsciously grasped at least ten strands of his own beard. Ren Bining recalled a past rumor, gently brushing back a strand of her dark hair with a captivating, graceful gesture.

"I heard news of Nether Sword Child's () death and the annihilation of the Profound Nether Immortal Sect (). Among those reports, one claimed you destroyed the Profound Nether Immortal Sect.

Was that truly your handiwork?" Lu Yuan nodded: "It was." Indeed... How could one possibly react...

How could the Longevity Realm defeat the Grand Dao Realm? The gathered Sword Immortals, who had begun to feel inadequate, realized with relief that their ignorance was not due to their own shallowness, but because such an event had never occurred in the Jin Kingdom's cultivation history.

Even the supreme Sect Masters were astonished, proving their perspective was not limited by narrow vision. Song Qingqiao stroked his beard: "With this child, the Righteous Path has found a great blessing." He had reason to say this; geniuses were common, but few maintained their true nature without arrogance.

Since gaining fame, Lu Yuan had neither sought factional power nor become conceited. Song Qingqiao offered sincere praise.

Such a humble and steadfast person—how wonderful it would be if he belonged to Wudang! Even Song Qingqiao, whose Dao Heart was the most unwavering among the leaders, felt a sting of envy and longing.

By the banks of the Black Water River. On the Righteous Immortal Sects’ side.

"What did you say? I must have misheard.

Lu Yuan, a mere Longevity Realm cultivator, defeated the Grand Dao Realm Azure Earth Demon Marquis?" "They say that in ten thousand years, no one has achieved such a feat. Even Yan Cangtian () never managed it." Although Yan Cangtian had ascended, and figures like Ren Du (), Eastern Demon (), Chu Duan, Zu Qianlai (), and Grandmaster Tian Yuan () had emerged, Yan Cangtian had always remained the benchmark for supreme power in people’s minds, the spiritual ideal.

If someone achieved what he could not, no one would believe it. "It's impossible," someone muttered.

"Hey, I didn't believe it either, but my Grand Dao Realm uncle told me personally. My uncle holds the Grand Dao Realm status; why would he lie?" "It’s true.

I heard something similar from our Ancestor." "How does Longevity fight Grand Dao? Lu Yuan is truly a miracle." "Have you not heard?

The recent destruction of the Profound Nether Immortal Sect is also said to be Lu Yuan's doing." "A young man barely over twenty who can wipe out a mid-tier immortal sect—that’s inhumanly powerful." "What does this Lu Yuan look like? What kind of person is he, to be so formidable?" "I heard he has a blue face, indigo beard, stands nine feet tall, and practices Three Heads and Six Arms." "Does such a person exist?" "Nonsense!

Isn't that how Nezha in ancient legends appeared? Geniuses share common traits." Meanwhile, the demons within the Black Water River rushed to report to the Purple Qilin Demon King.

All three Demon Kings were present, and all three were stunned into silence by the news. After a long pause, the peerlessly graceful Purple Qilin Demon King, whose horns resembled a dragon’s, finally managed a wry smile: "This is simply unbelievable." "Unbelievable," echoed the White-Haired Eagle King with utter strangeness.

Their meticulously planned operations had been undone just like that, despite the three Demon Kings positioning themselves to draw firepower. The Red Winged Demon King narrowed his eyes.

Beside the Black Water River encampment, Lu Yuan had already erected a Spirit Sealing Array, preparing two hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, along with numerous other provisions. The Grand Dao Law Elixir (), the Coiled Dragon Cockscomb (), and the Elixir of Immortality () were all laid out.

It was time to surge toward the Grand Dao Realm. Taking a deep breath, Lu Yuan admitted a measure of nervousness.

Exhaling slowly, he extended a finger and pierced the seal on a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, initiating the process of ascending to the Grand Dao Realm.