Ling Xiao returned to the Ling Xiao Treasure Hall, where the two "Ling Xiaos"—the original body and the incarnation—shared a silent, knowing smile before merging back into a single existence.
"Finally back..."
"It truly is more reassuring to operate from my original body."
Ling Xiao whispered the words to himself, stretching his muscles and bones with a rhythmic crackle, feeling as though he had been physically reborn.
This brief excursion into the world had been remarkably fruitful. Not only had he secured the permanent ownership of the Three Immortals Island, but he had also brought home an Innate Supreme Treasure as a trophy of his travels.
While the ordeal hadn't exactly been a masterclass in keeping a low profile, he deemed the results well worth the exposure.
"Unless a matter of dire importance arises, I shall not set foot outside again. I intend to focus every fiber of my being on closed-door cultivation."
Ling Xiao's mind was made up. Hongjun's three seminal lectures had concluded. According to the original trajectory of the world, the next major milestones would be Nuwa's creation of humanity and the subsequent, rapid emergence of the Six Saints.
Of course, that era might still be a distant horizon. Since the current Nuwa had been thrust into the leadership of the Yao Race, her thoughts were likely consumed by the logistics of racial development, leaving her with precious little leisure to contemplate the mysteries of creation.
Thinking back, his subtle manipulation—having Bai Ze invite Nuwa to lead the Yao—had indeed proven its utility. As long as Nuwa delayed the birth of the human race, he would be granted the precious time needed to consolidate his own power.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, keep up the good work. Do a stellar job!"
Ling Xiao let out a soft chuckle and purged the thoughts from his mind, sinking into a deep, meditative state to begin his Cultivation.
Within the wider Honghuang World, the struggle between the Wu Race and the Yao Race was growing increasingly fierce, escalating with every passing decade. Thanks to Ling Xiao's intervention, three of the Ancestral Wus had been rendered combat-ineffective, significantly alleviating the military pressure on the Yao Race.
While the Yao still found it impossible to secure a decisive victory, their situation was at least more sustainable than it had been.
Beyond the titanic clash of the two great races, localized conflicts were a constant hum across the Honghuang.
The various Spirit Treasures that had flown out from the Treasure Distribution Rock in Zixiao Palace were now manifesting across the land, drawing countless mighty beings into violent struggles. It was not uncommon for experts to battle until the sky turned black and the earth shattered over the possession of a single Innate Spirit Treasure.
There was no other alternative; the majority of the world's cultivators were simply too poor. Not every mighty being was fortunate enough to possess a hoard of Spirit Treasures.
With the exception of a select few at the very top, Innate Spirit Treasures remained elusive prizes—items that were fervently sought but rarely encountered.
Regardless of their raw power, the primary appeal of these treasures lay in their utility for the "Slaying of the Three Corpses."
Consequently, many experts worked themselves to the bone to acquire three Innate Spirit Treasures even before they were capable of Severing the Corpse, preparing for a future they weren't even sure they were destined to reach.
Zifu Island.
Following the debacle at the Three Immortals Island, the East King Duke—who had been unceremoniously hammered into the sea by Ling Xiao—had spent time secretly playing dead before crawling back to his headquarters.
Originally, the Duke had been consumed by a scorching sense of humiliation. As the dignified, heaven-appointed Head of the Male Immortals, how could he possibly endure the shame of being suppressed by a Golden Crow?
However, after the full battle record of Ling Xiao's exploits reached his ears, his heart found a sudden, profound relief. If the Ancestral Wus, the peerless Sanqing, and the entire Yao Race hierarchy couldn't defeat the man, then his own loss was not a failure—it was an inevitability.
He even realized he could use this to his advantage. He began to leverage his survival to entice more mighty beings into the Immortal Court.
Vague rumors began to emanate from Zifu Island, claiming that the East King Duke had fought Ling Xiao for three hundred grueling rounds before narrowly losing due to a slight lapse in stamina. He personally ensured his subordinates spread this narrative to every corner of the world.
He was not ashamed of the defeat; he was radiating pride.
The few individuals who had actually witnessed the East King Duke being casually swatted aside by Ling Xiao were either dead, crippled, or in such deep seclusion that they were effectively removed from the world's stage.
Those who did know the truth were either too elitist to bother correcting the record or simply had no desire to offend the Duke.
While the outside world knew the East King Duke had lost, the specifics of the encounter remained shrouded in a self-serving mist.
The Duke generously admitted to his defeat in public, but he framed it as a loss suffered at the perfect tactical moment, conducted with a peerless, graceful style.
When wandering cultivators heard that even the Sanqing and six Ancestral Wus had failed to stop Ling Xiao, yet the East King Duke had managed to hold his ground for three hundred rounds, it seemed to offer objective proof of his hidden might.
As a result, under this banner of "heroic defeat," the East King Duke's career flourished remarkably over the following millennium.
Now, upon Zifu Island, a sprawling complex of magnificent palaces reached toward the clouds, their golden roofs reflecting across half the sky. The headquarters of the Immortal Court finally possessed the visual weight of a true superpower.
Immortals could be seen weaving through the air at all hours, lending the island the authentic atmosphere of a celestial bureaucracy.
In the grandest palace at the center of the complex, the East King Duke and his core officials were currently receiving a group of Immortals who had come to pledge their swords to the cause.
"Immortal Head, we have traveled across the world, drawn by your magnificent reputation. We heard of how you shone with a brilliant radiance during the battle for the Three Immortals Island, engaging in an earth-shattering duel with the strongest Crow, Ling Xiao..."
A group of Immortals stood at the base of the hall, their leader speaking with a face flushed with genuine admiration. They had recently heard of the Duke's "prestige" and, seeking the security of a major faction, had chosen the Immortal Court.
The Honghuang World had grown increasingly unstable, and joining a centralized power felt like the only way to ensure survival.
Since the Wu and Yao Races were far more restrictive in their entry requirements, the Immortal Court appeared to be the premier choice for the independent cultivator.
The East King Duke sat upon a throne forged of pure Immortal gold, listening to the praise with a calm, stoic expression. Only after the speaker had finished did he slowly deign to speak.
"Hehe... Fellow Daoists, you flatter me far too much. It is true that Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao is exceptionally powerful; he possesses an aura that is truly invincible. Even the Sanqing and the Ancestral Wus were not his equal—they did not even last a single exchange in his presence."
"I am somewhat ashamed to admit that, despite my absolute best efforts, I only managed to trade three hundred rounds with Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao before I was ultimately forced to concede."
He shook his head and let out a long, theatrical sigh, his expression one of humble helplessness. Inside, however, he was calculating. The higher he placed Ling Xiao on a pedestal, the more his own "three hundred rounds" would highlight his peerless strength.
As he spoke, the cultivators below were seized by a new level of shock. If beings as legendary as the Ancestral Witches couldn't even withstand a single move from Ling Xiao...
And yet, the East King Duke had stood his ground for three hundred rounds. Although he had lost, it was a staggering testament to his prowess. It appeared the Dao Ancestor had been truly wise to appoint him as the Head of the Male Immortals.
For a moment, the newly joined Immortals not only gained a terrifying appreciation for Ling Xiao's power but also looked upon the East King Duke with a renewed, fervent respect.
By their logic, did this not make the East King Duke the most powerful existence in the world outside of Ling Xiao?
(Assuming, of course, one did not count the Dao Ancestor himself.)
How incredibly reassuring it was to serve such a master.
They felt as if their future was bounded only by the stars.
What they failed to notice was that the other core members of the Immortal Court present in the hall—individuals like Mysterious Water and Yuan Mu—were watching the scene with faces that were turning a distinct shade of green. They looked around awkwardly, their gazes searching for a crack in the floorboards to crawl into.
They had personally accompanied the Duke to the Three Immortals Island. They had seen, with their own eyes, the East King Duke being beaten so thoroughly he was forced to kneel in the Void before being blasted into the sea.
Forget three hundred rounds; he hadn't even lasted three seconds.
And that was while he was being supported by the Queen Mother of the West.
Hearing such a pathetic performance being recounted as an epic of heroism made those who knew the truth feel a physical sickness of shame.
Although this was far from the first time they had endured this routine, the sense of embarrassment felt fresh and agonizing every time.
Whenever a powerful new recruit arrived, the East King Duke would inevitably steer the conversation toward this "duel" to flaunt his standing.
The story was refined with every telling, yet the shame of the audience remained a constant.
However, as core pillars of the Immortal Court, they knew they could never expose the lie; instead, they were forced to cooperate fully with the charade.
After all, the honor and the disgrace of the Immortal Court were inextricably linked to their own.
The Duke was doing this to attract the muscle needed to build their foundation. Thus, the officials could only brace their spirits and join in the boasting, contributing their own layers of nonsense to the legend.
The East King Duke was going all out for his legacy. Throughout the entire display, his expression never wavered as he accepted the adulation, comforting his soul with a single thought:
"This is not for my own vanity. This is to maintain the order of the Honghuang World. I have a heavy responsibility resting upon my shoulders."