Chapter 741: Zhang Buku’s Obsession

"That evil thought claimed to be the Heavenly Emperor. He had grown tired of everything he created and hostile toward everything he possessed. He even wanted to destroy the Heavenly Dao itself. That malice... even now, just thinking about it scares me. If that truly came from the Heavenly Emperor, it would be a catastrophe beyond imagination..."

As Fairy Yao Xuan spoke, her brow furrowed, eyes filled with worry.

She had met immortals and gods before, and had heard the legends of the Heavenly Emperor. In the myths of the Three Thousand Great Worlds, the Heavenly Emperor was the supreme being—some even said he was the originator who created all.

In every legend, the Heavenly Emperor stood at the pinnacle. Cultivators could only look up to him in awe.

Gu An didn’t question Fairy Yao Xuan’s words. Instead, he found it entirely plausible.

The Heavenly Emperor had reigned invincible for too many years. The Heavenly Court’s status was unshakable. With absolute strength and boundless lifespan, anyone would eventually grow numb to all things, and after numbness came weariness—and then hostility.

Thinking about it now, the Heavenly Emperor turning a blind eye to the struggle of the Heaven’s Sons might just be his way of amusing himself.

If even Gu An could glimpse the trajectory of the Heaven’s Son struggle, how could the Heavenly Emperor not see it?

Knowing full well the dangers to come, yet still not appearing—perhaps, in the eyes of the Heavenly Emperor, disaster among mortals was merely entertainment.

Of course, Gu An only thought it possible. Until he personally met the Heavenly Emperor, he would reserve all judgment.

“No point worrying about what hasn’t happened. Even if it’s true, what could we do?”

Gu An looked at Fairy Yao Xuan, offering comfort.

A Profound Qi Hunyuan Immortal could see far into the future, but even then, not the end of the Heavenly Dao—nor could one judge the destiny of the Grand Dao itself.

Fairy Yao Xuan gazed steadily at Gu An. “You once pursued the Dao of Karma. Now your cultivation is immeasurable, yet you hide away in this little world. Isn’t it because you fear the Heavenly Court?”

From what Shen Zhen had said, Yongsheng had once been hunted by immortals and gods. In the end, he cast himself into the Great Monument of Karma. In Fairy Yao Xuan’s view, that history shaped the current Gu An.

Yongsheng had once been arrogant and daring, never knowing fear—bold to the point of recklessness.

Clearly, Yongsheng didn’t die after entering the Great Monument of Karma. But because of the immortals and gods, he began hiding his name, cultivating in seclusion within small worlds. And now that his cultivation was complete, he came immediately to save her.

That’s why Fairy Yao Xuan wouldn’t expose Gu An’s identity. Since he feared the immortals and gods, she wouldn’t cause more trouble. Her job was simply to relay information about the Heavenly Court.

Listening to Fairy Yao Xuan’s inner thoughts, Gu An felt helpless.

She really likes to fill in the blanks, doesn’t she?

He spoke seriously: “I have no grudges with the Heavenly Court. No matter what guesses you have—they’re all wrong. I just enjoy this life. I’m not the type who likes to fight.”

Fairy Yao Xuan nodded, replying, “I focus on cultivation too. I like this life a lot. If you want to know more about the Heavenly Court, I have other intel I can share.”

“Well… I suppose that’s fine.”

Gu An considered. He couldn’t deduce the evil intent Fairy Yao Xuan sensed through the Dao of Karma. He could only rely on her words or memories.

Hearing that, Fairy Yao Xuan smiled.

Above the sea of clouds, the Heaven-Stabilizing God walked in front, followed by nine Heavenly Soldiers, including Zhang Buku and Xu You.

Several million years had passed, and the auras of Zhang Buku and Xu You had changed dramatically. They now carried the presence befitting true Heavenly Soldiers.

Zhang Buku was transmitting sound to Xu You, curious about who they were about to meet.

"Probably to meet a Star Lord, or an Immortal Lord."

Xu You replied via sound transmission. Zhang Buku’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

He had begun to understand the structure of the Heavenly Court. He was fascinated by the ranks and titles of celestial immortals.

If he was going to ascend, he had to aim high!

If he could meet a Star Lord or an Immortal Lord, that would be the best.

Of course, it was just wishful thinking. Right now, he wasn’t qualified to speak with a Star Lord, let alone appear before an Immortal Lord.

"No matter who you meet later, all of you must kneel. Understood?"

The Heaven-Stabilizing God’s voice came from ahead, stern and commanding.

"Understood!"

The nine Heavenly Soldiers responded in unison. After millions of years together, they had built this kind of silent coordination. The Heaven-Stabilizing God's words made them all tense.

After walking for about one incense stick’s time, the Heaven-Stabilizing God suddenly knelt.

The nine Heavenly Soldiers quickly followed suit, kneeling in a straight line behind him.

Zhang Buku looked ahead. The sea of clouds stretched endlessly, vast and magnificent. There wasn’t even a single building in sight, let alone the figure of an immortal or god.

Where’s the Star Lord?

Zhang Buku was confused. Just then, an overwhelming divine pressure descended, causing the Heavenly Soldiers’ expressions to change.

They all looked up. Every single one widened their eyes—and even their mouths dropped open.

A colossal golden mountain fell from the sky, crashing into the sea of clouds with an unmatched might that could crush everything. Waves of energy blasted outward.

In front of this golden mountain, the nine Heavenly Soldiers felt their blood surging and their minds suppressed.

Before they could think further, another golden mountain descended from the heavens. And then another. One after another.

Boom! Boom! Boom…

Heaven and earth shook violently. One after another, golden mountains stacked together, quickly forming a stairway to the heavens. Looking up, they couldn’t see the end. Even though all nine had reached the Vast Heaven Free Immortal realm, they still couldn’t see the summit.

"The Heaven-Climbing Stairway. This is the only path to the Celestial Realm. Even gods don’t have the right to set foot on it. Every step above holds immense divine might—no one can force their way up."

Xu You’s voice reached Zhang Buku’s ears.

Right now, Zhang Buku was dumbstruck, staring at the Heaven-Climbing Stairway, his mind shaken and blank.

The other seven Heavenly Soldiers were just as stunned. They had never seen such an awe-inspiring sight. That divine might made their very souls tremble, driving them to kneel and bow.

When the rumbling finally stopped, Zhang Buku came back to his senses.

He saw a radiant light appear at the top of the Heaven-Climbing Stairway. It was like a sun hanging above the stairs. From within the light, a figure slowly stepped out, descending the stairway.

He couldn’t see the figure’s face, but his heartbeat pounded like war drums.

A sudden obsession formed in his heart.

He wanted to climb the Heaven-Climbing Stairway!

He wanted to become a true immortal god!

He wanted to stand in the Celestial Realm and overlook all the heavens and myriad worlds!

His desire to ascend had never burned so fiercely.

The Heaven-Stabilizing God looked up too. He stayed silent, waiting for the immortal to descend.

The mysterious immortal moved at a steady pace. With each step, his form grew more massive, like a giant god of creation descending from beyond the stars. The pressure he exuded overwhelmed all nine Heavenly Soldiers.

"I am Yin Xuan Immortal Lord. Are you the Heaven-Stabilizing God?"

A cold voice echoed from above.

The Heaven-Stabilizing God immediately responded, "I am indeed the Heaven-Stabilizing God. May I ask what orders Immortal Lord has for me?"

His entire body was taut. Clearly, he hadn’t expected that they would be meeting an Immortal Lord today.