Sweeping across the heavens, starting with the first emperor of the ancient times.

The entire Origin Realm heard the roar, and countless gazes instantly turned towards the forbidden area with curiosity.

"What's going on? What happened in the restricted area? Why such a big reaction?"

"Yeah, the restricted area has been calm for so long, why is a Supreme being suddenly angry?"

"Didn't Emperor Shangyang go to the Lesser Immortal Realm? Why is this Supreme Being cursing him? Can the Lesser Immortal Realm hear that?"

"They probably can't hear it, right? It's so far away in the void. Could it be that Emperor Shangyang has returned?"

"I don't know, let's wait and see."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, their minds racing, all eager to see what would happen next.

Many people were unaware of Xiao Fan and his group's return, and Jiang Hao's current strength meant that opening the passage didn't cause much of a stir.

Deep within the forbidden zone of the Lake of Reincarnation, a white-haired supreme being stood there, trembling with rage.

His name was Taiyuan Ancient Emperor, and he was Shangyang Emperor's old neighbor.

Back then, he had a good relationship with Emperor Shangyang, and the two often visited each other, drank tea, and discussed philosophy.

He had always thought Shangyang was a pretty good person, gentle and polite.

until that day.

Shangyang suddenly came to him for drinks, reminiscing about the past and praising his advanced cultivation, which made him dizzy with delight.

After finishing his drink, he said he wanted to borrow his peaches of immortality to observe and study the secrets of longevity, and that he would return them after a while.

He figured that since the two of them were on such good terms, he might as well lend it to them, since the elixir of immortality wasn't of much use to him anyway.

Early studies on this topic did not yield much insight.

And what happened? Shangyang took his elixir of immortality, turned around, ran to the ascension passage, exchanged his spot for another, and escaped!

This instantly turned him into a laughingstock among the many supreme figures in the restricted area.

Of course, none of that matters. The most important thing is that if he had known that the Elixir of Immortality could be exchanged for an ascension spot, he would have gone and exchanged it himself.

That bastard Shangyang took the spot that rightfully belonged to him, his spot!

"You dare to come back!" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan pointed at Emperor Shangyang, his finger trembling with rage. "You took my elixir of immortality and ran away back then, and now you dare to come back?"

Looking at his former good friend, Emperor Shangyang felt embarrassed and could only offer an awkward yet polite smile, saying sheepishly:

"Taiyuan, long time no see! You're still as charming as ever. Let me explain..."

Emperor Shangyang thought he and Emperor Taiyuan would never see each other again, and that by the time he returned to the Origin Realm, Taiyuan might already be dead.

Unexpectedly, I returned ahead of schedule. Moreover, the Heavenly Emperor was incredibly helpful, upgrading the Origin Realm and allowing Emperor Taiyuan and others to enjoy some benefits, extending their lifespan and allowing them to live to this day.

It just goes to show how unpredictable life can be.

"Explain my ass!" Taiyuan Ancient Emperor pointed at Shangyang Emperor and cursed angrily.

"You tricked me out of my elixir of immortality, ran off to enjoy a life of luxury in the Lesser Immortal Realm, leaving me to suffer. What do you have to explain? Explain how you tricked me?"

"What's going on?" a monk watching, unaware of the situation, asked in a low voice.

Many people are unaware of the past grievances.

The person next to him chuckled: "You don't know? Back then, Emperor Shangyang tricked Emperor Taiyuan out of an elixir of immortality in order to go to the Lesser Immortal Realm, and used it to exchange for an ascension quota. Emperor Taiyuan still remembers it to this day."

"You're cheating people out of the elixir of immortality for a spot?" The man's eyes widened. "That's ruthless!"

"That's right, that's why we got stuck here this time."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, all eager to see what would happen.

The supreme beings from other forbidden zones also emerged, some standing at a distance, others floating in mid-air, all with expressions of enjoying the spectacle.

A supreme being dressed in black robes laughed and said, "Taiyuan, can you tolerate this? If it were me, I couldn't. If you ask me, I'd just beat up that Shangyang guy and vent my anger."

"That's right, this is absolutely unacceptable."

Many of the top figures in the restricted area echoed and encouraged this suggestion.

A white-robed supreme being quickly waved his hand: "Oh, never mind, never mind. It's not easy for anyone. We used to be old neighbors, we see each other all the time. Shangyang may have suffered a lot in the Little Immortal Realm all these years. Consider that elixir of immortality as a gift."

The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan glared at the white-robed Supreme: "Gift? You're giving an elixir of immortality as a gift?"

The white-robed supreme being chuckled, shrank his neck, and remained silent.

He's just here to watch the show, so it's easy for him to talk when he's not the one suffering.

Another red-robed supreme being chimed in, "That's right, it's just an elixir of immortality, no big deal. Shangyang is back now, just have him compensate you, right?"

"Compensate?" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan sneered. "What can he offer in return? What does he possess that can compare to an elixir of immortality?"

Emperor Shangyang stood there, glanced at those who were instigating him, and cursed inwardly:

These bastards, they love to stir up trouble! Back then, which of you didn't have wicked thoughts? You just didn't succeed!

Emperor Shangyang naturally had no regrets about this matter. Everyone was in the same boat; it was just that he acted first and happened to succeed.

Emperor Shangyang took a deep breath and repeatedly cupped his hands in apology: "Taiyuan, I was wrong. It was my fault back then. I shouldn't have lied to you about the elixir of immortality. Please calm down, please calm down..."

"Calm down?" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan glared at him. "Give me back the elixir of immortality, and I'll calm down!"

Emperor Shangyang smiled wryly: "I've already used up that elixir of immortality, how can I return it to you? Or... how about I compensate you with something else?"

"What compensation? What can compare to the elixir of immortality?" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan snorted angrily.

Emperor Shangyang gritted his teeth and whispered, "Celestial techniques, do they count?"

The air suddenly became quiet.

All the supreme beings were stunned, and they all looked at Emperor Shangyang.

The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief: "What did you say? Immortal magic?"

"You really possess immortal magic?" The black-robed supreme being also leaned closer, his eyes burning with desire.

Emperor Shangyang nodded, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, and waved it in his hand: "Obtained from the Lesser Immortal Realm, a genuine immortal technique."

Each member of the group that went to the Origin Realm made a copy of this immortal technique.

All the Supreme Beings' gazes changed. Those who were just watching the spectacle now all gathered around, their eyes fixed on the jade slip.

"Quick, quick, come in!" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan made a complete 180-degree turn, grabbing the Shangyang Emperor's arm. "What are you doing standing outside? Come in and have some tea!"

Emperor Shangyang breathed a sigh of relief as he was pulled inside.

At least they managed to fool them.

A group of supreme beings followed them into the Lake of Reincarnation. After sitting down, they couldn't help but ask all sorts of questions.

Some people asked where the immortal magic came from, some asked what the Lesser Immortal Realm was like, and some asked how he came back.

They all looked at Emperor Shangyang with burning eyes.

Emperor Shangyang sat down, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "It was the Heavenly Emperor who brought us back."

"The Heavenly Emperor?" The Ancient Emperor of Taiyuan was taken aback. "The Heavenly Emperor is personally going to fetch you?"

Emperor Shangyang nodded, and the other supreme beings looked at each other, all thinking: For the Heavenly Emperor to personally go and fetch them, what kind of big thing must have happened?

Emperor Shangyang put down his teacup and said solemnly, "I have returned this time for two reasons: first, to visit my family and see you all, my friends; and second, the Heavenly Emperor asked me to bring you some good news."

"Good news?" The eyes of all the supreme beings lit up with excitement. Good news sent by the Heavenly Emperor was truly extraordinary!

As for Emperor Shangyang's comment about visiting his old friends, everyone automatically ignored it.

They're all old foxes; who would believe such a thing?