Chapter 673: The Legend of Yongsheng

“If I become a Hunyuan Dao Emperor, can I defeat a Dao Sovereign Emperor?” Xiao Lan asked the question that mattered most to her.

During her years roaming the Path of the Grand Dao, she had seen far too many heaven-defying prodigies. Those people were merely competitors vying for the title of Dao Sovereign Emperor, yet even they were incredibly powerful. She couldn’t begin to imagine just how strong a true Dao Sovereign Emperor would be.

Gu An replied, “Whether it's the Dao Sovereign Emperor or the Hunyuan Dao Emperor, it's just a form of destiny rank. There’s no absolute stronger one. But becoming a Hunyuan Dao Emperor, your future will be even more limitless.”

This wasn’t something he said casually. The Hunyuan Dao Emperor was a path he had created. One could draw on his power, and through it, grow endlessly stronger. Sooner or later, the Hunyuan Dao Emperor would surpass the Dao Sovereign Emperor.

By becoming a Hunyuan Dao Emperor, one wouldn’t just be able to tap into Gu An’s Grand Dao power—they could also comprehend and cultivate Gu An’s own Grand Dao.

It was named “Hunyuan” because Gu An possessed the Hunyuan Dao-Creating Physique.

As for calling it “Dao Emperor,” that was just to give it a name that didn’t sound any less prestigious than “Emperor.” The idea came from Ji Xiaoyu’s title as the Reincarnation Dao Emperor.

One day, Gu An would make the name “Hunyuan Dao Emperor” even more awe-inspiring than “Dao Sovereign Emperor.”

And not just his disciples could become Hunyuan Dao Emperors!

Of course, that was a distant future, because the creation of the Hunyuan Dao Emperor path was still ongoing.

At present, it was only in its first phase—the stage of guiding people into the Dao.

Xiao Lan pondered for a moment, then said, “Well, since I know you won’t hurt me, I’m willing to become a Hunyuan Dao Emperor. Teach me.”

Gu An smiled. With a wave of his right hand, Xiao Lan’s injuries instantly healed, and her divine power fully recovered. In the blink of an eye, the dark and desolate world around them transformed back into the peaceful realm of a cave-heaven.

Seeing this change made Xiao Lan’s eyelid twitch. She couldn’t help but ask, “That just now… was it an illusion?”

“No. It was a real world, created by me.”

Gu An’s answer made Xiao Lan tremble inwardly. Just how high of a realm did one have to be in to do something like that?

“Sit down.”

Gu An rolled up his sleeves and sat, then gestured for Xiao Lan to sit with him.

After she sat down, Gu An began expounding on the Dao.

To become a Dao Sovereign Emperor, one had to kill their way through the Emperor’s Path on the Grand Dao Road, devouring one another’s Grand Dao destiny. Only the final victor could become the Dao Sovereign Emperor.

For the Hunyuan Dao Emperor to be equal in power to a Dao Sovereign Emperor, it also had to follow a process of accumulation.

But Gu An didn’t intend to let seekers of this path engage in mutual slaughter like raising gu insects. Instead, he thought of his own Lifespan Projection, Lifespan Reincarnation, and Innate Reincarnation Technique.

He planned to have those pursuing the path of the Hunyuan Dao Emperor comprehend the Dao through reincarnation—not through personally reincarnating, but by projecting their will into cycles of reincarnation.

These projections would exist in reality, but would ultimately be erased. They wouldn’t disturb the Grand Dao, yet they could absorb its true essence.

With a clear direction, the path could now be refined.

Xiao Lan quickly became immersed in Gu An’s teachings. This cave-heaven remained tranquil, exuding a serene beauty unbothered by the passage of time.

...

In the Ethereal Immortal Court, atop a vast golden hall bathed in divine light, hundreds of youthful-looking cultivators had gathered. Tian Hao was among them, surrounded by a crowd that buzzed around him, treating him like a radiant star encircled by many moons.

“We finally gained the qualifications to compete for the title of Dao Sovereign Emperor.”

“There’s only a million years left before our turn comes. Time’s running tight.”

“Tian Hao’s incredible. He hasn’t even reached the Dao Repository Free Immortal Realm, yet he’s already qualified to compete for the position of Dao Sovereign Emperor.”

“I heard that ancestor really values him highly.”

“Don’t get too excited. The path to becoming a Dao Sovereign Emperor is incredibly dangerous. We might end up turning on each other.”

The disciples of the Ethereal Immortal Court inside the hall discussed the matter of the Dao Sovereign Emperor.

Tian Hao didn’t say anything. He kept thinking about the elder who had spoken earlier. When that elder announced the qualifications for the Dao Sovereign Emperor, Tian Hao couldn’t shake the feeling that the man had been watching him—and not with good intentions.

Although he had integrated into the Ethereal Immortal Court, he wasn’t born here. Because of that, he had always felt a subtle distance, a barrier he couldn’t cross. That sense of separation made it impossible for him to fully trust anyone.

“Speaking of the Dao Sovereign Emperor, our Ethereal Immortal Court has produced quite a few over the ages. Do you all know who had the greatest talent among them?”

A man in blue spoke up, drawing the attention of many nearby disciples. Even Tian Hao instinctively turned to look at him.

The blue-robed man clearly enjoyed the attention. He cleared his throat and said, “Naturally, it was Yongsheng from Jinlan Immortal Manor!”

“He was born with the Immortal Emperor Eyes, which shocked the entire court. Maybe unrivaled talent invites misfortune. Since the heavens are fair, evil always lurks to balance it. Someone coveted his Immortal Emperor Eyes and forcefully broke into the Ethereal Immortal Court, killing his parents. To protect him, the court sent him to Spirit Mountain.”

“Yongsheng received the true inheritance of Spirit Mountain and was a direct disciple of the Heavenly Buddha Ancestor. After entering the Path of the Grand Dao, he was unstoppable. He reached the title of Dao Sovereign Emperor in a shockingly short time.”

Yongsheng!

Immortal Emperor Eyes!

Tian Hao had heard of this name. It was said that this person was a peerless prodigy from a long time ago. He’d heard several elders use Yongsheng’s story to suppress and pressure other talented disciples.

But whenever someone asked too many questions about Yongsheng, they were always warned not to pursue the topic.

Yongsheng seemed to be some sort of taboo within the Ethereal Immortal Court.

“If he was that powerful, why did he die?” someone asked in confusion.

The blue-robed man lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “He didn’t die because he was killed. The so-called immortals and gods couldn’t do anything to him. According to legend, he willingly entered the River of Karma for the sake of his beloved. Whether he actually perished is still unknown. In fact, many of the court’s old ancestors still await his return.”

“I heard that Spirit Mountain often sends disciples to train in the River of Karma. It might be by order of the Heavenly Buddha Ancestor himself. After all, Yongsheng was his most beloved disciple.”

“The Heavenly Buddha Ancestor is a being who’s transcended the Great Thousand World. For someone like that to still miss Yongsheng… just imagine how talented he must have been.”

As soon as he said this, many disciples around him nodded in agreement, their eyes lighting up as they began to imagine what Yongsheng might have been like.

Even Tian Hao couldn’t help but picture the style and presence such a legendary figure would have.

“Wait… how do you know all this?” a female disciple suddenly asked. Her words made everyone look at the blue-robed man with curious and strange expressions.

Those who knew him were even more bewildered.

The man kept smiling—but his smile was growing more and more eerie.

“Because I’ve seen him. I served him.”

The blue-robed man said proudly. His words made the surrounding disciples' expressions shift even more strangely.

Tian Hao suddenly felt something. His brows furrowed as he quietly took a few steps back.

The blue-robed man abruptly exploded into a cloud of black mist that spread in all directions. The disciples nearby quickly backed away, drawing their respective magical treasures and preparing for battle.

“You little brats… I am the Xuan Mo Emperor, once under Yongsheng’s command! I too am a Dao Sovereign Emperor! Today, only one of you will survive! The one who lives will be worthy to compete for the title of Dao Sovereign Emperor!”

His voice echoed through the hall, now laced with a bone-chilling coldness.

Rumble—

The entire palace began to shake. Tian Hao’s face changed drastically, as he sensed an overwhelming pressure descending from outside the hall.

There was no way out!

What the hell was going on?

Was it an enemy invasion… or something the Ethereal Immortal Court had planned?

Tian Hao pulled out three of his Dao treasures, his expression grave, eyes fixed on the black mist. He could vaguely make out a figure moving within it.