Chapter 410: Returning to the Eternal Peak

The rain was still falling over the endless mountains of the Eastern Continent as two streaks of blinding lights flashed past.

Neither Tian Yongheng nor Zhu Dong spoke much during the remainder of their journey, silently flying through the cloudy heavens.

However, unlike Zhu Dong, whose expression remained thoughtful, Tian Yongheng’s mind had already returned to only one matter.

The Earth Immortal Realm!

Everything else could wait, but only that breakthrough could truly alleviate the overwhelming pressure weighing upon him.

Ever since witnessing that incomprehensible gaze atop Kunlun Divine Mountain, Tian Yongheng had developed an unprecedented sense of urgency.

From that point onwards, one revelation after another had continuously accumulated inside his heart.

His current strength simply wasn’t enough to contend with the rapid changes of heaven and earth.

Although his clone continued travelling outside, his true body had never left the Eternal Peak, remaining inside the Dao Field, immersed in secluded cultivation from beginning to end.

The terrifying amount of Immortal Qi accumulated throughout the Eternal Peak continuously poured into his body.

Every passing moment, he moved closer towards the Earth Immortal Realm.

Tian Yongheng quietly sensed the condition of his true body, a faint light flashing through his crimson eyes.

Just a few more decades... hopefully those guys don’t decide to descend until then.

Once he stepped into the Earth Immortal Realm, everything would change.

Unlike the Mortal Realms below immortality, every major realm throughout the Immortal Dao represented an enormous qualitative transformation, including the transition between the Vagrant Immortal Realm and the Earth Immortal Realm.

The difference between the two was several times greater when compared to the gap separating Half Immortals from true Vagrant Immortals, the divide between mortals and Immortal Gods.

Most importantly, his current body travelling outside was merely a Dharma Idol Manifestation, a clone.

Once his true body broke through, he could immediately reshape this clone with a thought.

Its cultivation would naturally rise together with his true body. In other words, he would effectively possess two Earth Immortal level combatants.

Except for the fact that the Dharma Idol clone couldn’t cultivate on its own, there was virtually no difference between his true body and the clone, whether it be in combat capabilities, Divine Powers, or Connate Providences.

Thinking this far, the pressure within Tian Yongheng’s heart finally lessened ever so slightly.

At least he wasn’t completely powerless.

As long as he successfully reached the Earth Immortal Realm before the Cleansing officially descended, his chances of survival would increase considerably.

The rain above had gradually weakened over the course of days.

Several hours later, a familiar mountain range slowly appeared beyond the clouds in Tian Yongheng’s vision.

It was the Eternal Peak.

Seeing the familiar scenery once again, Tian Yongheng finally breathed a sigh of relief in secret.

He was back home.

Although the current Eternal Peak could hardly be considered completely safe anymore, compared to anywhere else in the Lower Realm, it remained the place where Tian Yongheng felt the greatest sense of security.

After all, even a Heaven Immortal could not forcibly break into the Dao Field, and even an Origin Immortal wouldn’t be able to locate it no matter what.

Beside him, Zhu Dong also looked towards the mountain range.

Although he had previously been here, that was only in the outer areas of the Dao Field, never actually entering it.

"So this is your territory."

His Divine Sense swept across the edges of the Dao Field, feeling secretly alarmed in his heart.

Even as a former Immortal Sovereign, he had never witnessed such a peculiar array formation...

No, it wasn’t a formation or restriction of any sort, it was as if this barrier, which, from his estimate, even Heaven Immortals could not pierce through, was something else entirely, formed naturally as part of heaven and earth’s miraculous creations.

Tian Yongheng merely nodded.

"This is the Eternal Peak."

The two figures slowly descended.

However, just before reaching the main peak, both simultaneously paused.

Several figures were already standing outside, apparently having been waiting for quite some time.

The moment Tian Yongheng saw them, he immediately recognized every single person.

Qing Yunzi, Lu Qingfeng, Tian Yunchen, Yan Jingfei, Liu Ruoxue, Yang Wei, Su Yanlan, Wei Qiushan, Zhao Ye, Zhou Yi, Sun Hao, Jian Qi, Mo Yuxin, Ao Longchen, basically everyone was here.

Every single one of them possessed solemn expressions, and even the usually carefree Ao Longchen was in no mood to joke around.

Seeing Tian Yongheng finally return, everyone immediately looked over.

Their expressions first showed relief before revealing slight surprise.

Their gazes gradually landing upon Zhu Dong.

A Tribulation Transcendence cultivator?

Qing Yunzi’s brows furrowed slightly.

Although the other’s cultivation appeared ordinary, for some reason, he instinctively felt that this young man was anything but simple.

At the same time, Zhu Dong similarly observed everyone.

His gaze briefly paused upon Wei Qiushan, Ao Longchen, and Liu Ruoxue, a storm already surging within his heart.

Two Immortal reincarnations and... a True Dragon...!?

Is this guy collecting such entities!?

Where did he even find a True Dragon in the Mortal World?

However, the next instant, his gaze suddenly landed upon Su Yanlan, his pupils narrowing almost imperceptibly as his heart shook.

This person... was stronger than me at my peak in her past life!

A Lord reincarnation!?

He slowly withdrew his gaze, daring not to pry further.

This Eternal Peak and Eternal Lord were becoming increasingly mysterious.

Tian Yongheng naturally noticed everyone’s expressions, however, he had no intention of explaining Zhu Dong’s identity in detail.

Instead, he calmly spoke, "This is Fellow Daoist Zhu, a trustworthy person."

Not disciple, but fellow daoist?

This person seems to have an extraordinary identity!

Several people guessed but decided not to ask any question.

Hearing Tian Yongheng personally say those words, everyone immediately accepted it.

Qing Yunzi slowly stepped forward, his aged face appearing unusually serious.

"Peak Master."

Tian Yongheng looked at him calmly before asking.

"What happened?"

Qing Yunzi silently looked towards the endless rain covering the mountains.

Slowly he began speaking.

"Peak Master, recently, the changes throughout heaven and earth have become increasingly obvious."

His expression gradually became grave as he continued.

"Initially, I, just like many others, believed this was merely the arrival of an unprecedented prosperous age, such as the Providence vortex, the awakening of the Lower Realm Spirit, and the increasing density of Spirit Qi accompanied by the more easily manifesting natural elements, worldly laws, and heavenly rules, everything appeared beneficial."

He slowly shook his head.

"But the more I observed, the more something felt wrong."

Tian Yongheng quietly listened while Qing Yunzi continued,

"In the end, I consulted everyone."

His gaze swept across Lu Qingfeng and the others.

"We discussed it for several days, yet no one could determine the true reason."

At this moment, Yang Wei slowly stepped forward, his usually resolute face similarly appearing solemn.

"Since I consulted master that time, that feeling has only grown stronger. My instincts have continuously warned me."

His hand unconsciously tightened as he uttered.

"It is as if something unimaginably dangerous is approaching."

Yang Wei slowly lowered his head.

"Master, I’ve never experienced such a feeling before."

Tian Yongheng’s eyes quietly flickered.

The Destined Immortal Emperor possessed frightening instincts towards danger.

If even Yang Wei felt like this, then the situation truly couldn’t become much worse.

Just then, Lu Qingfeng sighed.

"Originally, we thought perhaps we were merely overthinking, but then..."

He looked up at the rain falling beyond the mountains.

"This rain started, and according to senior Qing Yunzi... the Sword Venerable has passed away."

Silence descended in the surroundings once more.

Most people present understood exactly what those words represented.

The strongest being in the Lower Realm had fallen; that alone was enough to shake the confidence of countless cultivators.

Beside Lu Qingfeng, Tian Yunchen similarly nodded.

"We guessed that something enormous must have happened, therefore, we all came looking for the Peak Master."

One after another, everyone looked at Tian Yongheng, and even Yan Jingfei remained unusually quiet.

Her beautiful eyes contained faint uncertainty.

The current timeline had already deviated far beyond her previous life’s memories. Everything had become unfamiliar.

As for Liu Ruoxue, her expression gradually became somewhat complicated as her thoughts drifted away.

In her previous life, living within the 33 Heavens Divine Realm, although she never paid much attention to the Lower Realm, even she could sense that the current sequence of events was extremely unnatural.

Everyone continued looked at Tian Yongheng, waiting for him to speak.

Among everyone present, only Tian Yongheng possessed the qualifications to truly know the answer.

Tian Yongheng remained silent for several breaths of time, his eyes slowly sweeping across everyone standing before him.

These were the people closest to him remaining in this world.

His disciples, his companions, and his trusted subordinates.

There was no longer any reason to hide the truth.

Moreover, time was running out.

Finally, he slowly spoke, his voice as calm as ever, yet the very first sentence instantly caused everyone’s expressions to freeze.

"The Upper Realm is preparing to begin another Cleansing."

The rain continued falling, but no one seemed capable of hearing it anymore.

Every face instantly turned pale.

Qing Yunzi’s breathing stopped, Lu Qingfeng’s pupils violently contracted, Wei Qiushan’s eyes widened, and Liu Ruoxue froze completely.

"Cleansing...?"

Qing Yunzi repeated almost absentmindedly, his voice carrying obvious disbelief.

Although everyone present possessed extraordinary backgrounds and talent, actually hearing those words still felt like a nightmare.

Zhu Dong calmly stood beside Tian Yongheng.

Watching everyone’s reactions, he couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

Just some time earlier, he himself had reacted almost the same way.