I became an immortal in the mountains

Chapter 845 Emperor of the Divine Dynasty
Gu Yuanqing smiled slightly: "It's me, Gu!"

Di Feng's face lit up with joy: "It really is Fellow Daoist Gu! More than forty years have passed, and you are even more radiant than before. Your cultivation has made great progress. Congratulations!"

As he spoke, he descended from the city wall.

Hearing the conversation between Di Feng and Gu Yuanqing, the soldiers around them relaxed their vigilance slightly.

Gu Yuanqing said, "There has been a slight improvement, but... looking at the soldiers in the city, these past few years... haven't they had it very tough?"

The joy on Di Feng's face faded, replaced by a heavy sigh, and a hint of hardship appeared between his brows: "It's not just difficult... The Heavenly Demon's offensive is intensifying, and the demonic energy is eroding us deeper every day. Brothers..." He shook his head, not finishing his sentence, and instead asked, "Fellow Daoist Gu, is there something important that you've come here for?"

Gu Yuanqing said, "Firstly, I've come to revisit and see old friends. Secondly, as fellow human beings, and with my cultivation having improved somewhat, I'd like to see if I can offer any small assistance. It would also be a way to settle some karmic debts!"

Upon hearing this, Di Feng's spirits lifted slightly: "If fellow Daoist could assist us, it would truly be a blessing for the Nine Domains Divine Continent! Fellow Daoist, would you please come into the city with me so that I may report..."

Before he finished speaking, a dazzling sword light, as brilliant as a galaxy, arrived in an instant. The light faded, revealing a middle-aged man dressed in a simple blue robe and carrying an ancient, sheathed longsword.

It was none other than Ling Yi, the sect leader of the Nine Heavens Sword Sect.

"Greetings, Sect Master!" Di Feng bowed quickly.

"Elder Di, there's no need for such formalities." Ling Yi nodded slightly, looked at Gu Yuanqing, clasped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Gu, it's been a long time."

Gu Yuanqing smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Sect Leader Ling, it's been a long time."

Ling Yi laughed and said, "Yes, it has been more than forty years since I heard any news from you. I thought you would never come to this world again."

Gu Yuanqing laughed heartily: "Even if it's just because you're here, I had to come back and take a look."

Ling Yi also laughed, then looked Gu Yuanqing up and down, and clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving the status of a Void Immortal."

Gu Yuanqing said, "I have to thank you for your Demon Refining and Immortal Ascension Diagram, otherwise I'm afraid I would have had to spend many more years!"

Di Feng, who was standing to the side, had a slight change in his eyes. He could sense that Gu Yuanqing's strength had improved, but he did not expect that he had actually broken through to the Void Immortal realm.

Back then, he already possessed such combat power when he was in the Undying Realm of Chaos. Now that he has broken through to the Void Immortal Realm, if he were willing to help the Nine Domains Divine Continent, he would be a great help.

Ling Yi waved his hand: "That was just a transaction. The items belong to the Great Hao Divine Dynasty, and I was just one of the intermediaries. Besides, both transactions were very beneficial to my Nine Domains Divine Continent. If we talk about cause and effect, you don't owe me or the Nine Domains Divine Continent anything."

Gu Yuanqing smiled, then suddenly frowned slightly: "Fellow Daoist, are you... suffering a Dao injury?"

Ling Yi sighed softly, "Fellow Daoist, your insight is indeed remarkable. You have indeed suffered some injuries. Twelve years ago, the Great Hao Dynasty attempted to eliminate the Eclipse Moon Demon King with utmost caution, but who knew that the news would still leak out and that we would be ambushed by the Xuan You Demon Lord. Not only me, but even the Great Hao Emperor, Brother Xuan Haoji, was seriously injured. If it weren't for Xiao Wuyou of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect rescuing us, I'm afraid..."

"Xiao Wuyou?" Gu Yuanqing raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ling Yi nodded slightly and said, "I know you have some grudges with him, but although the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect acts coldly, its stance on resisting the Heavenly Demon is still correct."

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "Personal grudges are one thing, right and wrong are another; his intervention is always a good thing for the Nine Domains Divine Continent. I won't go looking for trouble with him now."

Ling Yi said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of interfering in the matter between you and Xiao Wuyou."

Gu Yuanqing smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He and Xiao Wuyou were not exactly sworn enemies, and there was no need for him to deliberately seek trouble. However, if they were to encounter each other, it wouldn't hurt to resolve these issues as they came. But there was no need to discuss these matters with Ling Yi.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a few moments.

Ling Yi invited Gu Yuanqing to Wangxiang Pass, but also said apologetically, "Entering the human realm requires passing through the Pure Yang Demon-Repelling Holy Light Array. Please forgive me, fellow Daoist."

Gu Yuanqing didn't mind and smiled, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Ling Yi accompanied them the whole way, with Di Feng following behind.

Upon entering the city, one can immediately sense that the atmosphere within the city is much more somber than before.

The streets were still bustling with people in many places, but there was an indescribable sense of tension in the air. The monks passing by hurried along and spoke in hushed tones.

Lighthearted conversations and laughter have almost disappeared. It's as if everyone's brow is weighed down by a mountain—anxiety about resources, worry about the war, and a deep fear of the increasingly dense demonic clouds outside the city.

As Ling Yi walked with Gu Yuanqing through the alleys, he sighed softly, "This string has been taut for seventy years; I wonder how much longer it can hold."

Gu Yuanqing asked, "What are the Nine Domains Divine Continent's plans now?"

Ling Yi smiled wryly: "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, fellow Daoist. Our human race does indeed have some trump cards that we haven't revealed yet, but the three Demon Lords are too powerful. Even with the combined strength of the human race, our chances of winning are less than 20%. The Demon Lords come and go without a trace, and the Nine Domains Divine Continent is beset by internal and external troubles. As for our plans... we can only wait and see. The battle between the human race and the Heavenly Demons will ultimately be decided by strength. Without sufficient strength, everything is just empty talk."

Over the years, although they have managed to kill quite a few Heavenly Demons, including several at the Undying Chaos level, the human race has suffered far greater casualties. Moreover, unless they can kill the Demon Lord, nothing else matters.

Looking at the sword immortal before him, Gu Yuanqing noticed that the sword immortal seemed to have lost some of his sharpness compared to last time, and instead exuded a sense of helplessness and powerlessness.

The fact that it could affect the mind of a swordsman to this extent shows how difficult the years have been.

Ling Yi and Gu Yuanqing stood with their hands behind their backs on the street, looking into the distance. Ling Yi said, "Seven years ago, a border post in Changning Domain almost fell. Although the rescue was swift and the array core was recaptured in less than half a day, the influx of Heavenly Demons caused the deaths of most of the human race within a radius of 900,000 kilometers."

Three years ago, the same thing happened in the Northern Dragon Domain, where Yue Qianfeng, the Grand Commander of the Demon Suppression Division, almost died in that battle.

The human defenses are too vast, and the number of experts is too small. No one knows what unexpected event might occur. If a realm is completely breached, it will inevitably affect other areas. Alas, I, Ling, once had great ambitions, but today… it's difficult!

Gu Yuanqing asked, "What about Wugou Chanlin? Did they say anything more?"

Ling Yi turned his head, stared at Gu Yuanqing, and said, "Fellow Daoist, are you referring to the matter of hunting down the Demon Lord potentially triggering a great calamity?"

Gu Yuanqing smiled faintly: "I will speak frankly. Out of consideration for our past transaction and our shared human nature, I have come here to offer some assistance and to hunt down some Heavenly Demons to cultivate into my core. However, I am unwilling to bear such a heavy karmic burden."

As he spoke, he met Ling Yi's gaze and calmly said, "After all, I am not a person of this world, nor will I stay in the Nine Domains Divine Continent for long. I have come here this time, and I do not know when I will come again. Therefore, the choice is up to you!"

Ling Yi said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, are you confident that you can kill the Demon Lord?"

Gu Yuanqing chuckled and said, "Who dares to say they have absolute confidence when facing a peak Void Immortal? However, it's still worth a try."

"Fellow Daoist, may we have some time to discuss this?" Ling Yi asked.

Gu Yuanqing smiled and said, "Then I will wait for you for seven days."

……

One day later.

In the Jade Capital, the Great Hall of Haotian, experts from the Great Hao Divine Dynasty and several top sects gathered once again.

"Then why did Gu Yuanqing bring up the matter of hunting down the Demon Lord again?" Tian Shu Mansion Lord Li Yanshen asked with some surprise.

Ling Yi nodded slightly.

The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, Zhan Shengjie, asked, "Now that the three Demon Lords have awakened, all of them are at the peak of the Void Immortal realm. Although it was clear from the beginning that he was quite powerful, he has only recently become a Void Immortal. Is he really confident in his abilities?"

Ling Yi said, "Perhaps. If there's no certainty, why bring it up again?"

"Then what do you need my Nine Realms Divine Continent to do?" Li Yanshen asked.

Ling Yi said, "He didn't mention it. He hunted the Heavenly Demons partly out of loyalty to the human race and partly to refine his core. However, if this leads to a great calamity, he will not bear the consequences; we will have to bear them ourselves."

Those present naturally understood what this cause and effect was, and for a moment they frowned, and the atmosphere in the hall became oppressive.

After a moment, Yue Qianfeng, the Grand Master of the Demon Suppression Division, suddenly slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, stood up, and said angrily, "What's there to discuss? It's a blessing that others are willing to help. The human race is in a crisis right now, and the defenses may break down at any time. If we can't do this and we can't do that, I think we might as well just wait here to die."

Those old monks spend their days pondering Zen riddles, holed up in their monastery, never daring to emerge. Are we really going to be frightened by just one sentence from him?

"Chief Yue, sit down! His Majesty is before us, do not be so presumptuous!" Li Yanshen shouted.

Yue Qianfeng secretly glanced at Xuan Haoji, who was expressionless on the dragon throne at the top, snorted coldly, and sat down.

"Should we send someone to ask again?" asked Zhan Shengjie, the head of the Tiangong Pavilion.

Everyone looked at Pei Duan, the supervisor of the Celestial Observatory.

Pei Duan shook his head: "Asking further is useless. Huijue won't tell. Revealing heavenly secrets would harm the Zen path. Wugou Zen Forest suppresses ancient demons and won't harm its own cultivation because of it. To them, although the heavenly demons are harmful, the human race can still exist. If the ancient demons break free, I'm afraid this world will completely fall."

Yue Qianfeng said coldly, "Then what should we do? If we can't even kill the Demon Lord, then what's the point of everything we've done?"

Xingyan Daozun slowly spoke: "The Grand Master's words are not without reason..."

……

Gu Yuanqing traveled through the Nine Heavens Domain.

Under the threat of the Heavenly Demon, the order of this world has begun to be somewhat distorted.

Even with protective arrays, it's difficult to completely stop the infiltration of the Heavenly Demons.

With everyone feeling insecure, like a sword hanging over their heads, who can remain safe?

Not only in the border towns, but even in the once-prosperous city, gloom filled the air, seemingly prosperous yet permeated with oppression.

The vendors in the market had scrutinizing eyes as they made their transactions;

Young children, when playing, no longer laugh as freely as before; their eyes hold a fear that is inappropriate for their age.
An invisible pressure permeated the air, as if a string had been stretched to its limit, and any slight movement could trigger a chain of panic.

White banners were hung in many places in the city, and heart-wrenching cries could be heard as one passed by.

Returning to the old place, Gu Yuanqing couldn't help but sigh softly, realizing that the feeling from back then was completely gone.

Five days have passed.

Gu Yuanqing was strolling along the riverbank.

Suddenly, Xuan Mingrui came to visit, presenting a visiting card.

That night, in a palace suspended in mid-air.

Xuan Mingrui waited outside the palace and led Gu Yuanqing inside.

One can sense that this palace is heavily guarded, filled with experts, and riddled with magical formations.

But Gu Yuanqing walked on with composure. At this point, he had few things to fear in the world.

There's no reason for the Nine Realms Divine Continent to attack him now. Besides, even if he enters, they can still vaguely sense his true form. As long as the Heavenly Fishing Technique is active, it won't be able to trap him.

Before long, they landed in a courtyard.

Ling Yi and a middle-aged man dressed in dark black stood up to greet him.

The middle-aged man laughed loudly, "Sect Master Ling, is this Fellow Daoist Gu from another world?"

Ling Yi said, "That's right, Fellow Daoist Gu, this is also Xuan Haoji, the Lord of my Nine Domains Divine Continent, Brother Xuan Dao."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xuan." Gu Yuanqing smiled calmly and clasped his hands in greeting, while also sizing up the man before him.

The number one human in the Nine Realms Divine Continent, though dressed in casual clothes and with his aura concealed, could stand there as if he were the center of heaven and earth, or a pillar of heaven capable of bearing the weight of the sky.

"Haha, I've heard of you for many years, and it's only now that I get to meet you. I'm a bit rude." Xuan Hao laughed loudly. He was also observing Gu Yuanqing. Although he didn't use any magic, he tried to sense Gu Yuanqing's aura by relying on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. However, no matter what he did, he couldn't sense even a trace of him. The person in front of him seemed to be completely invisible, and not even a trace of his aura was leaking out.

Gu Yuanqing said, "As an emperor, Fellow Daoist Xuan has many affairs to attend to. The fact that you came here in person shows your sincerity. How can you say that it was impolite?"

After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Xuan Haoji invited Gu Yuanqing to sit down, then laughed loudly, "It's true that seeing is believing, and meeting is even better than hearing about it. I regret not coming back then."

"Fellow Daoist Xuan, you're too kind," Gu Yuanqing said calmly.

To him, Xuan Haoji was just a cultivator, and whether he was the emperor or not would not affect his attitude; he would treat him as an ordinary person.

A servant brought out wine and delicacies.

After several rounds of drinks, Xuan Hao spoke at length about the deal from years ago, thanking Gu Yuanqing for the rare and precious materials he had provided. Then, he changed the subject: "Since we are all cultivators, I will speak frankly. Fellow Daoist Gu, Sect Master Ling has already conveyed your intentions. Hunting down the Demon Lord is an earth-shattering act. The karmic entanglements, the good and bad fortune involved, have been carefully weighed by me and my fellow Daoists from the Nine Domains Divine Continent."

The Wugou Chan Forest did indeed issue a warning, but the threat of celestial demons is like a sword hanging overhead. If we are afraid of the possible calamity and simply wait to be harvested, like livestock, what use is our cultivation? What benefit is there in guarding our land?

Fellow Daoist Gu's willingness to lend a helping hand, regardless of his reasons, is an immense act of kindness to the human race of the Nine Domains and the entire Great Hao Dynasty. Therefore, all consequences, calamities, and backlashes that may arise from this act will be borne entirely by the Nine Domains Divine Continent, and will have nothing to do with you!

"Since you say so, fellow Daoist, that's fine." Gu Yuanqing nodded and chuckled again: "I was just afraid of doing good deeds and sowing bad seeds. We cultivators are most unwilling to get involved in such karma, so I'm just saying this in advance."

(End of this chapter)