In the heart of Central Continent, rolling mountain ranges lay dormant like giant dragons.
And Heavenly Ladder Mountain was the Peak of this dragon's spine, piercing straight into the clouds and overlooking Central Continent.
Cold winds howled at the mountain Peak, unable to disperse the mist that swirled year-round, much less shake the Heavenly Court that had stood for eternity.
On the outskirts of the Immortal Tomb, several figures stood suspended in the air, their Auras as deep and heavy as an abyss.
They were members of Heavenly Court—all of them elite Rank Eight Gu Immortals.
Each of them possessed profound attainments in their respective paths, and any one of them would be a regional overlord in the Five Regions; yet at this moment, they all restrained their sharp edges, their burning gazes fixed on the heavy stone door of the Immortal Tomb.
That stone door, having weathered the washing of a million years, still shone brightly, circulating a chilling Aura that looked down upon heaven and earth.
Suddenly, "Boom—!"
A muffled, heavy sound shattered the silence of Heavenly Court.
The stone door, sealed for a million years, was slowly opening inward. The friction of the door hinges turning was like an immemorial legend whispering, causing the surrounding air to ripple slightly.
As the gap in the stone door widened, a majestic and vast Pseudo-Venerable Aura erupted like an immemorial volcano that had slept for ages, sweeping across the area and covering the sky.
Although this Aura carried a clear sense of weakness, it possessed a majesty that looked down on all living beings and suppressed eternity, as if it were naturally superior to all Rank Eight cultivation bases.
The Heavenly Court Gu Immortals present were all veterans who had seen many storms, yet at this moment, their hearts shook in unison. Even though they were prepared, they could not help but hold their breath, their expressions becoming increasingly respectful.
Several Heavenly Court Gu Immortals could be seen carefully supporting a figure as he walked slowly out from the depths of the Immortal Tomb.
This figure was extremely grand, with purple hair cascading down to his waist like a waterfall. Every scale on him was like glittering gold, exuding the weight and power of accumulated ages.
The furrows of time were etched between his brows, and his eyes were slightly closed, as if he had not yet fully awakened from his million-year slumber. Yet simply by standing there, he was like a pillar holding up the sky, bolstering the Aura of the entire Heavenly Court.
"Welcome, Lord Duke Long!"
The Heavenly Watchtower Master stepped forward first, his voice steady but carrying an irrepressible reverence.
This Rank Eight Gu Immortal, who had been in charge of the Heaven Overseeing Tower for many years and had personally repaired fate gu, was like a respectful Junior in front of Duke Long.
Following closely behind were Heavenly Court's Bi Chen Tian, Wei Ling Yang, and others.
"Welcome, Lord Duke Long, back to the world!"
This was the creator of the dragonman race, the Dao Guardian of Red Lotus Demon Venerable and Great Dream Immortal Venerable, who in the future Fate War would kill Heaven Refining Demon Venerable with a single punch—
L—o—r—d— —D—u—k—e— —L—o—n—g—!!!
A million years of slumber, awakened today.
Duke Long slowly opened his eyes. When his gaze swept over the crowd, it carried a trace of fatigue that had not yet faded.
He waved his hand slightly, signaling the Immortals to dispense with the formalities, his raspy and dry voice echoing at the mountain Peak:
"No need for such ceremony."
Although his Aura was still weak and far from his past Peak glory, and his battle strength was not even one-tenth of its original,
his innate leadership air and the majesty that suppressed eternity had not diminished in the slightest.
The Immortals did not dare to be negligent, surrounding Duke Long as they arrived at the discussion hall.
When the other Heavenly Court Gu Immortals asked Duke Long why he had awakened, Duke Long's expression became increasingly solemn, his brows furrowed tightly, and his low voice carried a hint of urgency:
"It is the summons of Star Constellation's Heaven's Will..."
"Between heaven and earth, a massive variable has appeared. This variable is enough to shake the Foundation of Heavenly Court and the Human Race. fate gu is in danger, Heavenly Court is in danger, and the entire Human Race is in danger of being wiped out!"
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a thunderclap exploding among the Immortals.
The Heavenly Watchtower Master's expression changed drastically. No longer able to remain calm, he quickly took a step forward, bowed, and said anxiously:
"Lord Duke Long, this is absolutely impossible!"
"Your subordinate has been in charge of the Heaven Overseeing Tower for a million years, repairing fate gu day after day. Now, fate gu has recovered half of its power and shows no abnormalities!"
"Furthermore, those rebels who escaped the control of fate have been jointly purged by the Ten Great Ancient Sects. Within the Five Regions, any disturbances have been suppressed, and the situation is stable. Where could this danger of extinction come from?"
The Heavenly Watchtower Master's tone was full of disbelief. He had spent years of effort on the repair of fate gu and knew its status intimately; he truly could not accept Duke Long's assertion.
Duke Long slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the Heavenly Watchtower Master. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes—there was pity, regret, and a faint, imperceptible helplessness:
"Star Constellation's Heaven's Will is never wrong. The'stability' you see is nothing but a complete conspiracy."
"In the end... you still do not understand Hong Ting's methods."
At the mention of the name "Hong Ting," Duke Long's voice paused, and a look of reminiscence and pain appeared in his deep eyes.
Hong Ting was the Red Lotus Demon Venerable who had shaken the Five Regions a million years ago, achieving the position of a Space Path Venerable, and was the student Duke Long was most proud of in his life.
Back then, Duke Long had exerted all his effort to teach him everything he knew, viewing him as the future of Heavenly Court, even revealing the mission of guarding fate gu to him.
Heavenly Court prospered because of fate gu. As the head of the Three Dukes of Heavenly Court, Duke Long had spent his entire life fighting to protect fate gu, fighting to maintain the order of Heavenly Court, and fighting to safeguard the survival of the entire Human Race.
But who could have imagined that the one who would ultimately strike fate gu was not an enemy like Limitless Demon Venerable or Crazy Savage Demon Venerable, but his most trusted and proud student—Red Lotus Immortal Venerable Hong Ting.
A million years ago, Hong Ting used love gu to heavily damage fate gu. That scene became a permanent scar in Duke Long's heart and a disgrace that Heavenly Court could not erase for a million years.
"Time is running out." Duke Long retracted his gaze, his tone becoming heavier as he pressed his hand against his dragonman body:
"My Lifespan has reached its limit and can no longer be extended with longevity gu. Quick, tell me every major event that has occurred in the Five Regions over the past million years, one by one, without omitting a single detail!"
Seeing Duke Long's resolute expression, the Immortals knew this was no laughing matter.
The Heavenly Watchtower Master did not dare to be negligent any longer. He immediately stood solemnly to the side and began to recount the changes of the past million years.
Meanwhile, in Northern Plains, the land was covered in ice and snow, and the cold wind was like a knife.
Inside Eternal Heaven, a fat Gu Immortal was slowly opening his eyes.
He wore a wide robe that wrapped his round body tightly, and his face carried a drowsy look.
He yawned and stretched his limbs. The surrounding Eternal Heaven Gu Immortals all bowed and said:
"Welcome, Lord Tian Ji Zi Gai Mei!"
Several Eternal Heaven Gu Immortals in the hall bowed in unison, their voices synchronized and full of respect.
Gai Mei was the Lord Tian Ji Zi in the mouths of the Eternal Heaven Immortals, the most capable Wisdom Path Gu Immortal under Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, who had been slumbering in Eternal Heaven for a million years.
His awakening at this moment was also because of the "variable" Duke Long mentioned.
However, the purpose of his awakening was completely different from Duke Long's.
Gai Mei rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly. His lazy gaze swept across the Immortals in the hall, his tone flat:
"I have missed quite a lot of excitement during these hundreds of thousands of years of sleep."
"That key person has already appeared, hasn't he? But it seems a variable has emerged."
"The eighty-eight true yang building, which should have been destroyed, still stands in the world today. This was caused by that variable," Gai Mei said slowly with his eyes half-closed.
"Then how should we respond?" an impatient Rank Seven Gu Immortal asked urgently:
"If we let this variable develop, I fear it will ruin the Master's great undertaking!"
"What's the hurry?" Gai Mei waved his chubby hand, signaling him to stay calm:
"Fate is fixed, but Luck is a variable. Although the eighty-eight true yang building is still there, the core backup the Master placed in the building has already been taken away by that key person."
"As for that variable..." Gai Mei paused, his tone gaining a hint of playfulness:
"The Master has strict orders not to take his life. This person will be of great use to our Eternal Heaven and the Master in the future."
Hearing this, the Immortals all showed puzzled expressions, yet no one dared to ask more. Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's schemes were far beyond what they could speculate.
"However, there is one thing that must be taken back." Gai Mei's tone suddenly became serious, and a look of solemnity appeared on his round, fat face:
"The Master's heavenly luck gu is currently on that variable. The Master has ordered that this Gu must be retrieved to restore the supreme glory of our Eternal Heaven!"
"We obey your command, Lord!"
The Eternal Heaven Immortals shouted in unison, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became solemn, each of them rubbing their hands together, their eyes filled with Battle Intent.
heavenly luck gu was the core of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's all living beings luck true inheritance, capable of absorbing the Luck of others. If this Gu were recovered, it would surely take Eternal Heaven's strength to the next level.
Gai Mei yawned again, the drowsiness on his face deepening, as if he were about to fall back into a slumber the next second.
He stretched and casually asked an Eternal Heaven Gu Immortal beside him:
"By the way, has His Highness the Prince awakened? And is the West Desert Immortal, Bing Sai Chuan, still sleeping?"
The "Prince" he mentioned was Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's eldest son, Emperor Guang; and the "West Desert Immortal" Bing Sai Chuan was a capable general under Giant Sun Immortal Venerable with a resounding reputation.
As for the "Master" he kept mentioning, it was naturally the founder of Eternal Heaven—Giant Sun Immortal Venerable.
The Eternal Heaven Gu Immortal showed a helpless expression and bowed in response:
"Reporting to Lord, His Highness Emperor Guang and Lord Bing Sai Chuan are still slumbering and have not yet fully recovered."
Hearing this, Gai Mei couldn't help but shake his head. Just as he was about to make a few comments, a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Good news! Northern Plains' Medicine Emperor has officially joined our Eternal Heaven and is willing to serve us! Our Eternal Heaven has added another Rank Eight Gu Immortal!"
The Immortals in the hall all showed joyful expressions. Medicine Emperor's Refinement Path attainments were unrivaled in Northern Plains, and he could refine many immortal gu. His joining would undoubtedly deepen the Foundation of Eternal Heaven.
In recent years, there were fewer and fewer outstanding Juniors in the Golden Clans, and Medicine Emperor was one of those exceptional Juniors.
Currently, in Eternal Heaven, Tian Ji Zi Gai Mei was acting as the leader, commanding the Immortals; while in Heavenly Court, Duke Long had awakened and was acting as the leader.
The balance of the Five Regions had quietly tilted from this moment on.
Northern Plains, Luo Po Valley.
This was one of the Secret Realms of heaven and earth in the legend of human ancestor, shrouded year-round in a dense, inseparable bewitching fog. Howling winds blew in the valley, but they were no ordinary winds—they were Luo Po Winds.
Because of this, Luo Po Valley had become a core base for the Northern Plains Shadow Sect, easy to defend and hard to attack.
After the battle of Lang Ya Blessed Land, Luo Po Valley was attacked, and the Northern Plains Shadow Sect Immortals moved out in full force to support it.
This team was led by Spirit Affinity House's Feng Jiu Ge, with the rest being Gu Immortals selected from the Central Continent's Ten Great Ancient Sects.
In contrast, there were only seven people from Shadow Sect in Luo Po Valley.
They were Shadow Sect Vice Envoy Qin Bai Sheng, along with Hui Feng Zi, Wolf Wolf, Jiang Yu, Fairy Jiang Yu, as well as the Blazing Glory Lightning Bay Immortal Zombie and Hei Cheng.
The disparity in strength was huge, and the battle had been extremely tragic from the very beginning.
Fortunately, the Shadow Sect members held the absolute advantage of the terrain.
Qin Bai Sheng, relying on his familiarity with Luo Po Valley, commanded everyone to skillfully use the bewitching fog and Luo Po Winds, combining the natural dangers of the valley with battlefield Killer Moves to firmly hold the valley entrance, making Feng Jiu Ge's team unable to advance an inch.
Feng Jiu Ge led the Central Continent Gu Immortals in several powerful assaults.
This great battle had already lasted for a full month and had not yet reached its end.
At this time, Luo Po Valley no longer looked as it once did.
The ground was covered in pits of varying depths, dried bloodstains were everywhere, and the Luo Po Winds howled, carrying away the pungent smell of blood that permeated the air.
Qin Bai Sheng stood at the valley entrance, his body and clothes already tattered, with a trace of dark red blood hanging from the corner of his mouth. Only his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's, filled with rage.
"Dammit!" He gritted his teeth, his heart full of resentment:
"If not for the main body's Rebirth being imminent, I would certainly send word to the other Shadow Sect members for reinforcements. How could I let these Central Continent rats run wild here!"
The main body's Rebirth was the core grand plan of Shadow Sect for tens of thousands of years, concerning the rise and fall of the entire Shadow Sect; there could be no mistakes.
Just then, a violent bolt of lightning shot up into the sky from the battlefield below, accompanied by a deafening wolf howl.
Wolf Wolf had now transformed into an Ancient Desolate Beast—the Lightning Glow Giant Wolf. With a swipe of his claws, a thick lightning path Immortal Rank Killer Move blasted toward the Central Continent Gu Immortals opposite him.
His opponent was Immortal Crane Sect's Rank Seven Peak Gu Immortal, Old Lord Can Yang.
Taking advantage of the gap while fighting Old Lord Can Yang, Wolf Wolf opened his mouth, and a faint transmission pierced through the din of the slaughter into Qin Bai Sheng's ear:
"Lord Vice Envoy Qin, Zombie Alliance is a subordinate sect of our Shadow Sect. Since we are struggling to hold on, why not ask Zombie Alliance for help? Once they arrive, we will surely crush these Central Continent Gu Immortals in one blow and achieve a great victory!"
Hearing this, Qin Bai Sheng did not answer immediately but furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought. Fairy Jiang Yu, standing nearby, explained to Wolf Wolf:
"You don't understand. Zombie Alliance is a very important hidden card. The time has not yet come; if we use it prematurely, there will definitely be negative consequences."
"At that time, not only will Zombie Alliance be destroyed, but the main body's Rebirth plan might also be completely ruined."
"Then... then why not ask Fang Yuan and the others to help?"
Fang Yuan!
These two words were like a massive boulder thrown into the lake of Qin Bai Sheng's heart, causing him to fall into a brief silence.
Fang Yuan was very strong and grew very quickly; Qin Bai Sheng agreed with this point.
However, Qin Bai Sheng knew Fang Yuan's character all too well.
This person would not act without profit and was shameless; he would not be easily used by Shadow Sect.
If he were invited to come, would he agree? Even if he did, what kind of harsh conditions would he propose? He feared that at that time, Shadow Sect would not only fail to escape its predicament but would instead invite a wolf into the house.
A moment later, Qin Bai Sheng slowly retracted his gaze, looked down at the still tragic battlefield, and said in a heavy tone to Wolf Wolf via transmission:
"Let's see... hold on a bit longer."
Although Wolf Wolf felt resentful, he also knew Qin Bai Sheng's concerns, so he could only nod and pounce toward Old Lord Can Yang.
The great battle in the valley continued. The figures of the Shadow Sect members appeared increasingly tenacious amidst the bewitching fog and Luo Po Winds, like strong grass in the wind, refusing to break.