Chapter 1208 - 403: Continuation of the Immortal Path

Chapter 1208: Chapter 403: Continuation of the Immortal Path

Han Qingtao’s expression was as grave as Li Hang’s: "Whether or not they are former Heavenly Palace affiliates is still unclear, but I, in my humble capacity, believe we cannot disregard this possibility."

"What Daoist Han says is very true," Li Hang nodded in agreement.

The mountain top fell silent for a moment, as the two men stood in contemplative silence.

After a short while, another flash of Spirit Light appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching and soon reaching the summit.

An elderly Taoist, whose attire was somewhat similar to Li Hang’s but not identical, wearing a robe in shades of ochre, appeared before Li Hang and Han Qingtao.

The old Taoist, with crane-like hair yet youthful features, wore a serene and harmonious expression, his breath long and drawn out, inconspicuous but leaving a sense of returning to one’s true nature.

"Brother Yan," Li Hang and Han Qingtao simultaneously greeted, paying their respects.

The old Taoist returned the greeting with a smile: "Daoist Li, Daoist Han, it’s been a long time. I hope you have been well."

He glanced around Penglai, then sighed softly: "Such an Immortal Realm, it is a pity that it was previously disturbed by people from Mount Longhu of the Tang, and only now has it regained some of its former appearance."

The old Taoist withdrew his gaze, looking at Li Hang and Han Qingtao before him: "In the past, this old Taoist could not spare a thought to come here; my fellow Daoists have worked hard."

Han Qingtao said, "This matter was due to the lack of caution on behalf of me and Daoist Huang of the Pure Yang Palace from the Great Tang."

The old Taoist replied, "Daoist Han, you speak too heavily of the matter."

As the three talked, another stream of light flashed from afar, swiftly arriving at the mountain peak.

The light subsided, revealing a young Taoist whose simple clothing and straw shoes were similar in style to Han Qingtao’s.

Though his actual age was not considered, outwardly, he seemed merely in his twenties or thirties, appearing exceptionally young.

"Three Daoist Brothers," the young Taoist greeted Han Qingtao and the other two.

His name was Shen Xi.

In recent years, as Penglai reopened, he became known as the Eastern Green Emperor among the Five Directions Dao Gates’ elites who entered Penglai.

Thus far, excluding the fallen Northern Black Emperor Huang Xuanpu, the remaining four Daoist elites of Penglai gathered here today.

Eastern Green Emperor, Shen Xi.

Western White Emperor, Han Qingtao.

Southern Red Emperor, Li Hang.

And the old Taoist in yellow robes, seemingly also from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, the Central Yellow Emperor, Yan Keji.

In their respective realms, all are great leaders.

Years ago, through a fortunate coincidence, they successively entered Penglai, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Shen Xi and the others, including the previously mentioned Huang Xuanpu, despite encountering numerous clashes and conflicts, eventually restrained themselves and collectively explored Penglai.

Here, they discovered and gained from many relics of the Ancient Talisman Sect and Ancient Heavenly Palace.

Though their experiences varied in their respective mortal worlds, due to various reasons, they embarked on the same path:

Relying on the heritage of the Ancient Heavenly Palace and Ancient Talisman Sect, they established a Mortal Tao Country.

In their individual worlds, they all have foundations and are secretly plotting.

Along this journey, many other events also occurred.

Among them, the Northern Black Emperor Huang Xuanpu, who was in the Tang Imperial Dynasty, perished completely, followed by Xu Yuanzhen who entered Penglai from the Tang mortal world, causing a great disturbance.

Yet during this process, Shen Xi, Li Hang, and others uncovered numerous secrets.

Some of these secrets greatly aided them, while others hinted at trouble and crisis.

"The anomaly at Bluestone Drop, it could be the former Heavenly Palace affiliates," Han Qingtao said.

Yan Keji nodded slowly: "What Daoist Han says is not without reason; this old Taoist has also sensed something."

Shen Xi’s expression was calm and unruffled: "Are they the descendants or... the former Heavenly Palace affiliates from back then?"

Han Qingtao: "After so many years, if the former Heavenly Palace affiliates are still alive and have not yet exhausted their lifespan, their cultivation power might be..."

"The brutality of the great battle back then is undisputed, but many secrets remain, and the full story is unknown." Li Hang spoke slowly.

Facing them, Yan Keji, Shen Xi, and Han Qingtao all remained silent.

The four Taoist elites simultaneously lowered their heads to look at the mountain beneath them.

This place was once a relic left behind by the Ancient Celestial Palace.

In ancient times, there existed the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humans.

Due to earth-shattering changes in heaven and earth, Heaven was eventually divided into Nine Heavens, the Earth into Ten Lands, leaving only the mortal realm largely intact.

As time passed, years later even the Heavenly Palace vanished, leaving the world without supreme rulership.

At that time, various great families and sects in the mortal realm rose and fell, dynasties changed hands frequently; despite the chaos, the path to immortality remained unbroken, with many reaching Ascension and roaming the universe.

It was not until the end of the Han Dynasty.

Amidst the upheaval of the mortal world, as the situation rapidly evolved, Heaven and Earth underwent another transformation.

There were those claiming to be descendants of the Heavenly Palace emerging, intent on reestablishing the Heavenly Palace.

Due to various reasons, fierce battles erupted between the Heavenly Palace affiliates and those opposing them, affecting increasingly wider areas until it engulfed the mortal realm and the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Many powerful individuals, countless beings perished as a result.

History, records became scattered or even muddled.

Ultimately, the mortal world was shaken to its very core, causing time and space to diverge.

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were entirely obscured.

The turmoil of Spiritual Energy made the path to immortality disappear, causing Ascendants to cease for many years.

Until now, as Spiritual Energy surges, the world finally begins to see a turning point.

To Han Qingtao, Li Hang, and their companions, this is an opportunity.

Yet also could be a crisis.

Despite wishing to reassure themselves that the great battle at the end of the Han swept through heaven, earth, and humanity, leaving none untouched and resulting in the extinction of Immortal Buddhas, Han Qingtao, Li Hang, and their companions knew well it was merely the ideal scenario, unlikely to unfold as they hoped.

Unfortunately, what they learned from exploring Penglai varies in its timing.

It was only after they too embarked on the path of reestablishing the Heavenly Palace that they realized this world might still have like-minded "predecessors."

"Before, Spiritual Energy in the mortal world declined for many years; if anyone from above the Ninth Heavenly Layer still exists, they likely reside in one or more worlds of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."