Beware the Jade Emperor!

This warning left Ye Wen in a long silence. He had initially believed that with the Shu Mountain Sect flourishing and offering significant aid to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor would harbor no ill intentions toward him. However, he realized his optimism had been far too naive.

Following his battle with Vermilion Bird, Ye Wen returned to the back mountain in a contemplative mood and announced his intention to enter seclusion. Fortunately, this retreat was unlike his previous ones, which involved locking himself away for decades. This time, he was focusing on deep cultivation; while he couldn't move about freely, he was still accessible if necessary.

Settling into his seclusion, Ye Wen first summoned Wei Hong.

Having once been an emperor and governed a realm, Wei Hong possessed some insight into the workings of the Jade Emperor's mind. Ye Wen called him to seek his perspective, and what he heard from his disciple largely corroborated the conclusions Ye Wen and his inner circle had drawn after careful consideration.

“Master’s cultivation grows increasingly formidable, and our sect has produced so many diverse elements. Though they may seem minor, these contributions allow us to forge friendships across the world. In time, which immortal in the Three Realms won't recognize the merits of the Shu Mountain Sect? The Jade Emperor already harbors considerable apprehension toward the myriad immortals. If Master gains such renown, becoming a leading figure comparable to Old Lord Taishang, how could the Emperor possibly maintain a secure throne?”

Ye Wen nodded. This was precisely the situation. The Eastern Immortal Realm differed fundamentally from the West; there, powerful figures coalesced beneath the supreme leader. Here, however, factions acted independently.

Yet, Wei Hong added further comments that made Ye Wen understand that even if the Jade Emperor felt wary of him, he could not realistically take action against the Shu Mountain Sect at this moment. Moreover, and more crucially, if the Jade Emperor truly understood the situation, Ye Wen’s growth might not necessarily be a bad thing for him.

“Explain,” Ye Wen requested.

Wei Hong smiled and gestured upwards. Ye Wen immediately grasped the implication.

The Jade Emperor feared Ye Wen, but he feared Taishang Laojun even more. While he disliked Ye Wen and worried he might become another transcendent being like Old Lord, it was precisely because Ye Wen had not yet reached that pinnacle that his caution was focused. Should Ye Wen ascend to that level, the Emperor would likely have to shift his entire perspective.

Ye Wen remained silent, waving his hand to dismiss Wei Hong.

If this analysis held true, the Shu Mountain Sect was in no immediate danger. The most significant factor was that, after that battle, Ye Wen had vaguely perceived the path to achieving the Golden Immortal attainment.

Following that fight, Ye Wen’s power was completely depleted. However, this had its benefits. His internal vital energy was empty, necessitating restoration. Given the profound mystery of Ye Wen’s cultivation techniques, he should have recovered within days. The current state—slow recovery—was due to his forcefully suppressing the internal circulation of his power, preventing it from replenishing.

It turned out that after the battle, once the Primordial Violet Qi surged through his body, Ye Wen understood: to achieve Golden Immortal status, one needed to refine all one's vital energy to be like that single strand of Primordial Violet Qi. He also realized that in that single move, forced by circumstances, he had unintentionally unleashed Golden Immortal-level strength.

Vermilion Bird, being directly involved, also perceived this. It was for this reason that the Divine Monarch Vermilion Bird clearly recognized the boundless future potential of the Shu Mountain Sect Leader. Cultivating a good relationship would immensely benefit his Phoenix Clan. Thus, before departing, he offered a subtle hint as a gesture of goodwill.

However, transforming one’s entire vital energy into Primordial Violet Qi was not something achieved merely by talking or thinking. This situation mirrored Ye Wen’s initial cultivation of the Purple Cloud Divine Art.

In the beginning, he possessed only a single thread of vital energy, the Purple Cloud Qi. To utilize it, he had to summon it temporarily; hence, it was called the Purple Cloud Art. Only later, by using that single thread of Purple Cloud Qi to temper the rest of his vital energy, gradually refining all his inner strength into Purple Cloud Qi, would he command the Purple Cloud Strength, thereby truly mastering the Purple Cloud Divine Art.

The current situation was no different. Ye Wen possessed only one strand of Primordial Violet Qi within him. To refine it incrementally using this method might take an unknowable number of years. After all, Primordial Violet Qi was infinitely superior to Purple Cloud Vital Energy; its rank was unknowable, making its cultivation inherently arduous.

Furthermore, the strand of Primordial Violet Qi within Ye Wen remained beyond his command, only emerging under dire peril. The only method Ye Wen currently had to spur this vital energy was by employing the ultimate killing move, Myriad Swords Return to One—not because he could command the Primordial Violet Qi freely, but because activating Myriad Swords Return to One caused all surrounding vital energy to resonate and move, thereby coercing the Primordial Violet Qi to manifest.

In essence, he could only use it passively, not control it consciously! Yet, now an exceptional opportunity presented itself: Ye Wen's vital energy was entirely spent, his internal reserves extremely sparse. This allowed Ye Wen to meticulously observe and locate that single strand of Primordial Violet Qi. The next step was to devise means to control it freely, and then use this strand as a foundation to slowly cultivate more Primordial Violet Qi until his entire being was saturated. At that point, he would naturally become a Golden Immortal.

Therefore, though Ye Wen sat motionless, he was, in reality, cultivating ceaselessly. His eyes remained shut, and a flickering purple light constantly shimmered between his brows.

This purple light was not intentional; it was a manifestation of Ye Wen’s condensed divine consciousness desperately attempting to seize control of the Primordial Violet Qi. A bright purple light indicated Ye Wen’s utter inability to control it. Only when this light dimmed entirely would Ye Wen be considered to have mastered the Primordial Violet Qi, allowing him to proceed to the next stage of cultivation.

Fortunately, this form of cultivation did not impede other matters. He could still inquire about the state of Shu Mountain, and disciples would visit daily, either to check on him or to briefly report on current affairs without disturbing his focus.

Ye Wen learned that after the battle, not only was he in seclusion, but Huang Rongrong, Ning Ruxue, and Hua Yi had also all entered closed-door cultivation. These three women were all poised to break through to the Heavenly Immortal realm; each had been close before, and the insights gained from that day’s battle suggested they might even emerge before him.

Consequently, all major and minor affairs of Shu Mountain fell to Xu Xian’s judgment. Fortunately, Xu Xian recognized the criticality of this period. If they could hold out until his senior brother emerged and Shu Mountain was anchored by a Golden Immortal, no force in the world would dare harbor ill intentions toward the sect again.

However, if the Jade Emperor chose this moment to strike, Xu Xian would be the one to decide whether to fight or retreat.

Ye Wen specifically summoned him and entrusted him with the method to use the Nine Provinces Cauldron, ensuring that, at a crucial juncture, Xu Xian could envelop the Shu Mountain Sect within the cauldron and flee with the artifact. Since Xu Xian possessed Heavenly Immortal cultivation and was naturally swift—few in the Immortal Realm could match his speed if he truly fled—Ye Wen felt assured about the sect’s safety once this responsibility was delegated.

With his mind settled, Ye Wen devoted himself entirely to seated meditation. He chose a location on a small, unremarkable island in the back mountain, primarily because it housed a spacious cave, shielding him from wind and rain, and offering superior seclusion.

Occasionally, Ye Wen’s disciples would visit to report on mountain affairs. During this time, Ye Wen learned that most of the disciples dispatched had returned. Zheng Ying had conducted numerous experiments in the Demon Realm and was now compiling his findings to advance further along his path of 'invention.'

The return of Zheng Ying and the others did not mean the Shu Mountain disciples remained confined. Following Ye Wen’s directives, the disciples actively ventured out. They intervened wherever monstrous chaos erupted, sought alliances with various sects, and many even went directly to the Heavenly Court to serve as Divine Generals and Officials.

This contingent was largely led by Wei Hong. Besides Wei Hong and Zhou Guan, Lu Bu had also been persuaded by Wei Hong to return to the Heavenly Court. Upon his return, Lu Bu aided the Heavenly Court forces in decisively defeating the Buddhist Realm’s army, forcing them back over a thousand miles before they could stabilize their defense line.

With this merit, coupled with Ye Wen’s prior assistance to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor, despite his growing apprehension towards Ye Wen, could only wait silently for an opportunity.

He was unaware that this delay might soon cost him his chance entirely.

Time flew by during Ye Wen’s seclusion. He couldn't gauge how long he sat, but one day, Hassna suddenly returned. Her robes were tattered, and her face, arms, and legs were smeared with grime, making her appear rather disheveled. Ye Wen asked no immediate questions. He simply gestured for her to sit opposite him and said:

“Did you gain much from this excursion?”

Hassna respectfully kowtowed once: “I gained a great deal!”

“That is good.” Though his eyes remained closed, Ye Wen was acutely aware of Hassna’s condition. He knew the moment she entered that his disciple was on the verge of a breakthrough. “Your vital energy has increased substantially, but it lacks peace and purity, which clashes with your path. Rest here in quiet contemplation for a time!”

“Yes!”

With that instruction, Hassna settled opposite Ye Wen. Master and disciple sat facing each other, eyes closed, occasionally exchanging words, mostly concerning the events Hassna had encountered after leaving the mountain.

It turned out that when Hassna returned to her homeland, she discovered the entire southwestern region had fallen under the control of the Buddhist Realm—at least outwardly, no other power seemed to exist.

Consumed by rage, conflict with the local Buddhist forces was inevitable. Coincidentally, Peacock Ming King had also been relocated to the southwest by the Buddha—a conflict arose between the two sides. The Buddha deemed it wiser to eliminate the weaker enemy first to focus entirely on the Heavenly Court forces. Thus, despite the crisis in the East, Kong Xuan was redeployed to the West to resolve the western campaign swiftly.

When enemies meet, their eyes burn with animosity. Hassna wasted no time and engaged Kong Xuan in a grueling battle that lasted until the heavens and earth spun! She specialized in the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic, supplemented by the Tathagata Divine Palm, giving her overwhelmingly powerful strikes that Kong Xuan dared not meet head-on.

However, her cultivation level remained significantly lower, and Kong Xuan possessed the Five-Colored Divine Light, preventing Hassna from gaining the upper hand. Strangely, Kong Xuan never struck to kill. After every clash, he allowed Hassna to escape. Through this repeated engagement, Hassna’s cultivation progressed at an astonishing rate, as if Kong Xuan were deliberately helping her train.

She was not foolish; after several encounters, she understood that Kong Xuan was intentionally sparing her life. Frustrated, she turned back toward Shu Mountain. She encountered no trouble on the way back. Only when nearing her destination did she look behind her and realize Kong Xuan had secretly escorted her all the way.

Embarrassed and furious, she fought Kong Xuan one last time. Unfortunately, she gained nothing but a dusty face, which explained her battered appearance upon return.

Hearing Hassna’s account, Ye Wen understood that Kong Xuan feared him, hence his refusal to deliver a killing blow to Hassna. This situation also revealed that Kong Xuan held no deep loyalty to the Buddhist Realm. With the Heavenly Court forces pressing in, the ultimate outcome for the Buddhist Realm was uncertain, and Kong Xuan was clearly securing a contingency path for himself.

Thinking this, the corner of Ye Wen’s mouth curved upward slightly. Although he had not yet achieved Golden Immortal status, his current power was enough to inspire awe—Myriad Swords Return to One, even if it could only unleash Golden Immortal strength momentarily, was sufficient to intimidate many.

The title of the foremost expert among Heavenly Immortals was indeed well-earned.

“It’s a pity this title won’t last long!”

The purple light emanating from Ye Wen’s brow was gradually fading. While complete extinction was still far off, any progress was positive. For cultivators of this caliber, time was abundant, and running short was not a concern.

Ye Wen chatted more extensively with Hassna only at the very beginning. In the following days, the reports brought by visiting disciples contained more information than Hassna’s accounts.

During Ye Wen’s seclusion, most Shu Mountain disciples had successfully crossed their respective thresholds. Except for Ning Ruxue and a few others who remained in confinement, the rest had begun venturing out.

Even Ye Wen’s other disciples started leaving the mountain grounds, gradually establishing some renown in the Immortal Realm.

An amusing anecdote involved Cuiyan Sect. It seemed Guo Jing had done something during his outing that prompted the Cuiyan Sect to send envoys to propose marriage, scaring the disciple so much he fled to his master’s secluded retreat—which greatly amused Ye Wen.

Coincidentally, Hassna had just completed her breakthrough and emerged from seclusion. Ye Wen immediately sent Guo Jing out to investigate the matter, only to learn that while out, Guo Jing had encountered a female disciple from Cuiyan Sect traveling. Unfortunately, not long after meeting, she ran into a powerful demon cultivator who nearly captured her to serve as a demonic cauldron. Guo Jing rescued her, but the timing of the rescue was... compromising; Guo Jing had obtained a clear view of the maiden’s body, leading to the subsequent marriage proposal.

Ye Wen had no specific opinion on the matter, merely telling Guo Jing to handle it himself. However, given the circumstances, there were only a few conceivable outcomes, leading to an increased frequency of interaction between the Cuiyan Sect and the Shu Mountain Sect in recent years.

These were minor issues. Ye Wen listened to the reports and issued no specific instructions, merely waving his hand, leaving the disciples to resolve these matters themselves.

His seclusion, in retrospect, proved beneficial for the Shu Mountain Sect. Its operations had largely formed a self-sustaining system, requiring little intervention from him.

After Hassna emerged, Ye Wen was once again alone in the cave, save for Dongfang Kui, who visited daily. She didn't always speak with Ye Wen, but she would stay for at least an hour before leaving.

Over time, upon seeing Dongfang Kui, Ye Wen would proactively engage her in conversation. This ritual eventually became a fixed daily routine, yet neither felt it inappropriate; on the contrary, they found it preferable.

Many more seasons passed. Ye Wen, seated in meditation, had completely lost track of time. Then one day, he suddenly felt his long-empty body gradually filling up. Focusing his inner vision, he saw swirling clouds and streams of purple energy drifting throughout the internal universe, with many condensing into distinct purple galaxies. With a thought from Ye Wen, these galaxies immediately began to revolve, drawing in the drifting clouds and streams, causing them to flow between the various stellar structures.

After an indeterminate period, all the purple streams within his body vanished, and the galaxies shimmering with purple light gradually returned to a normal appearance. But Ye Wen knew: he had finally achieved complete success.

At this juncture, Ye Wen finally understood the sheer power of a Golden Immortal. It was fair to say that a Golden Immortal’s body was a universe unto itself. He recalled hearing tales on Earth that truly powerful immortals contained a self-sufficient world within them and could use their power to carve out void dwellings.

Back then, he had dismissed it as hearsay. Now, he knew it was no exaggeration. He even realized that the so-called Heavenly Court was likely a structure carved out by the Jade Emperor using his own cultivation, making the Celestial Palace equivalent to the Emperor’s personal dwelling.

Similarly, Old Lord’s Doushuai Palace was the same. To contend with either of these two within their respective domains would be difficult, even for another Golden Immortal.

Opening his eyes—eyes that had not seen light for an unknown duration—they first emitted a dazzling brilliance. This intense purple light burst from the cave and shot straight into the heavens. As it was deep night, this pillar of purple light was exceptionally conspicuous. Not only did the Shu Mountain disciples witness it, but every cultivator and resident in the western expanse of the Eastern Immortal Realm saw it clearly.

With such an extraordinary phenomenon appearing, some within Shu Mountain immediately realized their Sect Leader had completed his seclusion. Even some soldiers stationed in the nearby Heavenly Court garrison guessed what had occurred.

Especially in the main camp, Yang Jian, with his Sky-Soaring Hawk perched on his shoulder, gazed silently toward Shu Mountain. He then glanced at the equipment held by the soldiers in his own tents and the armor they wore, finally shaking his head before returning to his command tent.

Even Old Lord, sitting in silent meditation in the Doushuai Palace, opened his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he issued a few instructions to his chief disciple, Daoist Xuan Du. Then, he stopped sitting, waved his hand, gathering all the magical artifacts placed nearby and carrying them with him.

Seeing his master’s actions, Daoist Xuan Du started to speak but ultimately held his tongue. He withdrew, summoned his cloud, and headed straight for Shu Mountain.

In the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor was handling some trivial matters when the Heavenly Eye suddenly rushed in with a report. The Emperor was stunned for a moment after hearing it, then finally sighed deeply.

“Enough!”

This single word suggested finality, but was the matter truly concluded? If Wen Zhong were present, he would certainly realize it wasn't that simple.

Yet, sometimes, people simplify matters.

Ye Wen’s emergence from seclusion was generally an ordinary event. But when he stepped out, he was astonished to find that not only had the nearby Cuiyan Sect sent envoys, but numerous figures he had never even heard of had also appeared.

It was Xu Xian who introduced them one by one. Ye Wen learned that not only had nearby sects sent representatives, but local rogue cultivators and even non-malevolent demon cultivators had arrived to offer congratulations.

Ye Wen’s gaze swept over the crowd and spotted a fox darting among the guests. When it caught Ye Wen looking its way, it respectfully prostrated itself on the ground and kowtowed several times.

This situation, though unexpected, was not troublesome. Ye Wen had handled countless similar situations before. His Shu Mountain Sect was not newly established, nor were its disciples inexperienced bumpkins. Thus, despite their surprise, they responded with composure, displaying the true demeanor of a great sect.

Entertaining guests occupied half the day, but that was minor compared to the true shock to the assembled immortals: the arrival of Daoist Xuan Du.

Daoist Xuan Du said nothing provocative. He simply stated to Ye Wen: “One month hence, my Master awaits the Sect Leader Ye three thousand li above the Heavenly Court!”

This message was not deliberately lowered in volume; everyone present heard it clearly. They immediately understood that Old Lord was inviting him, and the specific location chosen carried a clear implication.

The assembled immortals, eager to witness the spectacle, understood that a gathering of this magnitude was beyond their purview. Perhaps only one person in the entire Eastern Immortal Realm was qualified to witness this ‘entertainment’—indeed, this ‘entertainment’ seemed intended solely for that one person’s viewing.

Upon hearing it, Ye Wen immediately grasped the crux of the matter, especially the location Taishang Laojun had chosen, which was quite direct. Even those with slow reactions would likely understand within moments.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of acceptance. Daoist Xuan Du returned the bow politely and then turned to depart.

Following this, the assembled immortals also took their leave one by one. The people of Shu Mountain looked at Ye Wen, but none appeared worried.

Ye Wen looked at his many disciples and smiled: “What are you staring at? There’s no need to worry about this matter. It’s merely putting on a show. After that day, no one will dare scheme against the Shu Mountain Sect again. Go back to your duties!”

With a wave of his hand, the crowd dispersed with laughter. However, a few remained. Li Xiaoyao approached, grinning sheepishly, clearly intending to say something.

Ye Wen remained silent, waiting for his disciple to speak first. Li Xiaoyao finally said: “Master, a few days ago while traveling down the mountain, I chanced upon a child with exceptional aptitude. I brought him back to the mountain, intending to accept him as a disciple. I must ask Master to examine him first!”

That was certainly unusual; for the flighty Li Xiaoyao to actually take on an apprentice? Ye Wen, unable to contain his curiosity, pressed further: "What's the boy's name? How old is he?"

Li Xiaoyao let out a hearty laugh: "The lad was an orphan, nameless and without a surname, so your disciple took the liberty of naming him Situ Zhong!"

"..."

A month passed with the swiftness only time truly knows. This day dawned clear and bright. Ye Wen hovered high in the sky, looking left and right, finally fixing his gaze upon the old Daoist priest who appeared out of thin air, standing poised in the void before him.

This old Daoist wore an extremely simple robe, held a Taiji diagram in his left hand, upon which rested a small pagoda, while his right hand held nothing. He offered a distant salute to Ye Wen, taking the initiative to greet him.

"Sect Master Ye, to meet under the shadow of conflict already, I hope Sect Master Ye will not take offense!"

Ye Wen returned the courtesy with equal politeness, even bowing deeply. After all, the Shu Mountain Sect was also a Daoist lineage, and Lao Jun was the progenitor of the Dao itself; a deep bow was absolutely necessary. Ye Wen hadn't let his attainment of Golden Immortal status make him lose all sense of propriety.

Lao Jun smiled: "Today's contest is merely a formality, meant only to make things clear to certain observers. However, it would be impolite to hold back entirely. Sect Master Ye, please do not be overly reserved!"

Ye Wen smiled. Politeness was politeness, and respect was respect, but he knew he wouldn't truly go easy when the fighting began, even if it was clearly a performance for others.

The old Daoist opposite nodded, casually waved a hand, and took a slight step forward. Though he had clearly advanced a step, the original figure remained standing where he was.

Once the old Daoist settled, the person behind him stepped to the left, moving beside him. It was only then that Ye Wen realized it wasn't just one person; another had stepped to the right. In the blink of an eye, three figures of similar appearance but vastly different attire stood opposite him.

The central Lao Jun retained his simple, plain grey Daoist robe, his hair salt-and-pepper, much like any ordinary elder, showing nothing extraordinary. The figure standing to the left wore a magnificent white Daoist robe, adorned with golden trim and tassels. His hair and beard were as white as snow, and though his features were identical, they exuded an air of nobility. Behind his head, a faint golden halo shimmered, immediately signaling his profound nature. Seeing Ye Wen look over, he raised his head and announced: "This humble Daoist is Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun!"

Ye Wen's heart gave a jolt. He looked at the other one: although he also wore a Daoist robe, his attire resembled that of a warrior more closely. His hair, like that of a young man, was glossy black. He carried a long case on his back, and facing Ye Wen, he declared: "This humble Daoist is Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun!"

"..."

Ye Wen regarded the three old Daoists across from him, silently cursing in his mind: "So this is where the legend of 'One Qi Manifesting as Three Pure Ones' comes from!" He watched as Lingbao Tianzun formed a hand seal, and a long, sharp cry echoed from the case on his back. Four long swords clanged as they flew out of the case. Ye Wen knew exactly what those four flying swords were without needing to ask.

"Alright, let the fight begin. This time, it’s going to be intense."

However, Ye Wen was not disheartened by this revelation; instead, his fighting spirit soared. He flicked a finger, and the Myriad Sword Art was unleashed casually. Almost instantly, the heavens and earth were saturated with sword energy; even outsiders nearby could see nothing at all.

The battle raged for a full hour. The sky was nothing but sword energy, occasionally punctuated by flashes of fire, though these were too fleeting to capture attention. Only after the hour had passed did all the pervasive sword energy vanish, and even the combatants who had been in the arena disappeared entirely.

What exactly happened—who won or lost—remained unresolved. The only thing known was that the Jade Emperor, who had been absent for most of the day, upon returning to the Celestial Court, made it his first order of business to appoint Wei Hong as the Righteous God of the Ministry of Punishments, granting him the God-Beating Whip to oversee the rewards and punishments of the Celestial Court's divine officials and generals.

Since Wei Hong took office, many disciples from the Shu Mountain Sect began securing positions in the Celestial Court, and numerous divine generals grew close to Wei Hong—because the God-Beating Whip could actually break through the strength limitations imposed on the generals, slightly increasing their upper limit of power. Conversely, it could also reduce the strength of any disobedient general, making Wei Hong someone whom fewer and fewer people in the Celestial Court dared to offend, allowing him to live an increasingly carefree existence.

The Celestial Court grew more stable, gaining a greater advantage over the Buddhist Realm, while the Shu Mountain Sect enjoyed ever-increasing ease.

One day, everyone, bored staying on the mountain, decided to venture out. Apart from Ye Wen, the women enjoyed a pleasant cruise on the lake aboard the yacht Zheng Ying had gifted them.

Wrapped in a bath towel, Ning Ruxue stood on the deck, looking around: "Where is Senior Brother?"

"Husband said he was going for a walk ashore!" Hua Yi turned towards Ning Ruxue, noticing how she was bundled up like a rice dumpling, and laughed, "What haven't you seen these days? What's the use of wrapping yourself up so tightly now?" Her words caused Ning Ruxue's face to flush like an overripe peach, yet she refused to let go when Hua Yi reached out to tug at the towel.

Just then, Artemis emerged from the cabin. She stood there proudly, clad only in strips of fabric on top and bottom, exposing a deep cleavage in the front and a defined curve in the back.

Ning Ruxue glanced over, promptly tossed her own towel aside, and stood there. The two women resembled two sculptures utterly out of place in the mortal realm, clearly locked in a silent competition...

Until a female voice suddenly cut through the air. Artemis frowned first: "Why are you here? Didn't the holy armor you requested already get delivered? Besides, the Olympian divine race is fractured, and Zeus has fallen. Even if you aren't the Queen of the Gods now, that position will likely fall to you soon enough."

Before she finished speaking, Athena was already standing on the yacht: "I feel that instead of letting things continue as they are, deepening the relationship with Ye Wen might be more beneficial."

The moment she spoke, Athena felt eight gazes, sharp as knives, fall upon her. She looked over in surprise at the other women, then raised her head, finally noticing that the beautiful bird with the long tail at the bow of the boat was, in fact, alive.

"It seems achieving that goal won't be easy!"

Of the four directions surrounding Shu Mountain, the eastern path was easier, but ever since a series of strange phenomena began occurring there years ago, people constantly flocked there seeking immortality and enlightenment, making that area quite restless.

To the north lay the Tianshan Sect. Li Xuan had achieved some success over the years, but it was also a place filled with noise. To the west was the expanse of the Western lands, which had essentially become a thoroughfare, with fallen angels and Saints constantly moving back and forth—hardly a quiet location.

So, after surveying the surroundings, Ye Wen settled down to meditate beneath a sheer cliff on the south side, not cultivating, but simply calming his mind and observing the scenery.

He had intended to sit in peace, but someone evidently disagreed. Not long after he settled, he heard a piercing "Ah~" from above. Looking up, he saw a figure plummeting from the mountain peak, shrieking as they fell toward the ground. But as Ye Wen focused his gaze, he saw that the youth, who looked about ten years old, had an expression of sheer delight!

However, Ye Wen couldn't be bothered to intervene. Seeing the youth falling directly towards him, he had no inclination to catch him, so he merely rose and stepped two paces to the side.

Thinking he had moved far enough away to avoid the impact, he didn't account for the fact that as the youth fell, he was intercepted by a protruding tree branch on the cliff face, causing him to veer mid-air and line up again directly toward Ye Wen.

"Damn it, you can't play like that!"

He retreated another two steps and looked up again. There were no more branches on the cliff face. Surely he was safe now? Unexpectedly, a large bird materialized from nowhere and slammed into the falling person. The youth was knocked tumbling twice before redirecting toward Ye Wen, and the large bird tumbled down confusedly alongside him.

With his Glazed Pupils, Ye Wen could discern that the bird possessed the bloodline of a Great Peng Golden-Winged Bird and already possessed some cultivation; such a bizarre mid-air collision should never happen. Why was he running into this today?

In that moment of hesitation, the youth smashed down. Ye Wen could only reach out and catch him, absorbing the ten-thousand-pound force before tossing him onto the ground—but the youth proved incredibly agile. The moment he landed, he rolled smoothly, sprang up, and laughed loudly: "After jumping over thirty mountain peaks, it wasn't in vain! I’ve finally run into a true Immortal!"

"..."

"Great Immortal... if you just take me as your disciple, I guarantee you..."

Before he could finish, Ye Wen roared, "Fierce Tiger Kick Shot!"

In the sky, another shining star was added!

Meanwhile, far away in the Demon Realm, Ying Zheng shifted his massive body restlessly on his chair, his hands never leaving the palm-sized device, while he cursed incessantly: "Damn it, the final round of the Shu Mountain Martial Arts Tournament is total cheating! The screen turns purple and you die instantly. Is this even playable?"