Just as the old patriarch forced me to my death, I achieved the unity of Dao and fruition.

Before the Bloodline Hall, the hundred-foot-tall immortal pillar had completely turned blood red.

A vast river of blood stretched across the sky, with streaks of crimson Dao patterns constantly appearing and disappearing in the void as the river flowed.

The old man who was in charge of guarding the Immortal Pillar stood in front of Ye Chen, looking him up and down several times, his satisfaction impossible to hide.

"Not bad. Not bad!"

"The Blood River Immortal Vein is naturally formed from blood and qi, and naturally possesses immortal characteristics."

The old man stroked his beard and smiled.

"As long as you don't perish along the way, the Tribulation Realm won't be a huge hurdle for you."

"If there is another opportunity..."

He didn't completely rule out what would happen next.

But who around us couldn't understand it?

There is hope for becoming a true immortal.

This is what makes the Immortal Vein truly terrifying.

Having a celestial vein doesn't guarantee becoming a true immortal.

Many people die on the path of spiritual practice.

It's not uncommon for those with exceptional talent to die young.

But for others to cultivate to the point of transcending tribulation is already considered an auspicious sign, like their ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke.

Those with immortal lineages, as long as they have sufficient resources, at least have the qualifications to truly attempt to reach the threshold of immortality.

The two are not the same concept at all.

The old man's gaze toward Ye Chen grew increasingly pleasing.

Of course, love is real, and so is happiness.

As for whether there are any other reasons involved... only he himself knows.

In the millennium election, the top talents discovered in each branch hall will eventually be recorded in the register of merit.

If a true immortal seedling emerges, the rewards from above are never stingy.

Thinking of this, the old man's smile became more amiable.

Just as he was about to speak and have someone register Ye Chen, a hurried voice suddenly rang in his ear.

"Elder Qi!"

"Prepare to welcome him immediately!"

"A celestial official from the Fire Virtue Immortal Palace is currently patrolling nearby. Upon hearing that our palace has detected an immortal vein, he has changed course and is coming here!"

The old man's smile froze instantly.

"What?"

Celestial Official?

The next moment, he became fully alert.

"Open the front door!"

"All deacons of the Bloodline Hall, cease all your duties!"

"Immediately clear the path to immortality and follow this old man to welcome you!"

As soon as the voice was spoken, the group of immortal palace cultivators who had been maintaining order all sprang into action.

Groups of cultivators dressed in standard robes strode out of the Bloodline Hall.

Even several Transcending Tribulation cultivators who were not usually responsible for external testing showed up.

Upon seeing this, the onlookers immediately stirred up a commotion.

"What's going on? Why make such a commotion?"

"A celestial vein is indeed a celestial vein; it seems there's a big shot involved..."

"Tsk tsk tsk, the big shots in the Bloodline Hall couldn't sit still as soon as the results came out."

Some people looked at Ye Chen, their eyes filled with barely suppressed envy.

Of course, some people also made sarcastic remarks.

"The Immortal Vein doesn't automatically make you an immortal."

"Have there been few instances throughout history where immortal beings perished along the way?"

Despite saying that, he couldn't help but glance at Ye Chen a couple more times after he finished speaking.

It may be sour, but who wouldn't want a celestial vein?

Another monk, who clearly had more experience, shook his head.

"The Blood River Immortal Vein is unlike other bloodlines. If someone with this bloodline cultivates bloodline techniques, their cultivation speed will be extremely astonishing."

"Besides, if someone like that enters the Celestial Palace, can their training standards be the same as ours?"

"As long as they don't do anything stupid, they will at least become a core figure in the Celestial Palace in the future."

The crowd continued to discuss it.

Ye Chen stood in front of the immortal pillar, his face relatively calm, but he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation in his heart.

Could it be... that someone has actually taken a liking to me?

He originally only wanted to enter the Immortal Palace first, to have an identity, so that he would be qualified to submit a petition to the Immortals and investigate the matter of Linhai City in the future.

But if he were to be accepted as a disciple by a truly important figure in the Bloodline Hall right after his bloodline was detected... that would be even better. With a good identity, it would be easier for him to do what he wanted.

"Don't be too happy yet."

Blood Elder's voice came from the pendant at just the right moment.

"The Immortal Palace is a deep and mysterious place. The greater the opportunity that comes your way, the more you must remain calm and composed."

Ye Chen responded in his heart.

"I see."

"You don't understand anything."

Old Blood said irritably, "Your heart is beating faster now."

Ye Chen: "..."

He took a soft breath.

Then he began to consider how he should respond if he were to be noticed by some important person.

Being too enthusiastic might not work either, as it might make one seem unsophisticated.

Being too cold is also not good; that's considered ungrateful, and you might offend someone.

It's best to be neither arrogant nor humble, showing the confidence a genius should have while also giving seniors ample respect.

Ye Chen had already mentally rehearsed what he should say later.

But at that moment, the entire immortal city suddenly fell silent for a moment.

hum!

High in the sky, the protective immortal array covering the entire city opened up to both sides on its own.

A myriad of rays of light spread out, and a long path formed from crimson celestial clouds stretched all the way from the sky.

Everyone in the immortal city instinctively looked up.

At the very front of the long path formed by crimson immortal light, three cultivators clad in crimson flame immortal armor walked through the air.

The aura emanating from each person was so vast that many cultivators below, especially those at the Void Returning and Integration stages, dared not look directly at them.

"Tribulation...it's all...tribulation!"

Some people's voices have changed.

Following the three Transcending Tribulation Immortal Envoys were dozens of Immortal Palace cultivators lined up on both sides.

Further on, four strange beasts, their bodies engulfed in crimson immortal flames, descended through the air, pulling a celestial chariot that was entirely crimson and as clear as glass.

The wheels of the celestial chariot did not touch the ground; they merely rolled through the void, leaving behind two long, lingering streaks of crimson light.

The entire square fell silent for a few breaths. Finally, someone seemed to realize something, and their expression suddenly changed.

"Celestial messengers cleared the way, and celestial beasts pulled the chariot."

"This is... the ceremonial retinue of a celestial official!"

The moment those four words were uttered, the surrounding area erupted in chaos.

"A celestial official?!"

"Are they truly celestial officials in a heavenly palace?"

"I've only ever seen such a person mentioned in ancient books! How could someone like that come here?"

"nonsense!"

Someone nearby looked at Ye Chen with excitement.

"What else could it be?"

"A celestial vein!"

"This kid's immortal veins were just detected, and a celestial official has already come in person!"

"What incredible luck!"

"It might happen once in thousands of years!"

In an instant, countless eyes fell on Ye Chen once again.

Envy, jealousy, all sorts of emotions are there, and some people have even started to consider whether they should go over now to make themselves known.

Ye Chen was truly unable to control his emotions this time, which even surprised Elder Xue.

"It really is a celestial official."

"Kid, you're really lucky."

"If you can get close to a celestial official, you'll save yourself a lot of trouble in your future cultivation."

"Especially if you want to appeal to the gods, having such a person speak up for you is more effective than running around a hundred times yourself."

Ye Chen nodded slightly, his gaze already fixed on the celestial chariot.

The celestial chariot slowly came to a stop above the plaza.

The elder from the Bloodline Hall who had undergone tribulation had already led a group of cultivators to the area below.

Everyone bowed in unison.

"Welcome, Celestial Official!"

The carriage curtain was gently lifted by a celestial messenger.

A figure stepped out from within, enveloped in a hazy celestial light, with a faint crimson, glazed celestial light flowing around the figure.

His face was completely obscured by a layer of flames and the rules of the Great Dao, so no matter how the people below looked, they could not see him clearly.

Gu Changjin stood in front of the celestial carriage, his gaze casually sweeping across the area below.

The elder from the Bloodline Hall quickly stepped forward.

"I hereby appoint the Immortal Official in Charge of Suppressing Flames."

"The one whose bloodline was detected this time is none other than Ye Chen."

"His bone age is extremely young, yet he has already reached the Nascent Soul stage."

"Truly a rare and precious seedling."

As he spoke, he stepped aside.

All eyes were once again focused on Ye Chen.

Ye Chen also took a deep breath, preparing to step forward and pay his respects.

But the next moment, he had just lifted his foot.

But he discovered that the high and mighty celestial official wasn't even looking at him.

Gu Changjin's gaze went straight past him and landed on the back of the crowd.

There, Gu Qingxiao and Gu Xiaolou were standing together.

Gu Changjin's lips slowly curled up.

The Crimson Abyss Secret Realm was blown to a horrific state back then, with spacetime turbulence sweeping through, yet these two little things actually survived.

Not only did they survive, but their cultivation levels also reached the Nascent Soul stage, indicating that they must have had many extraordinary encounters along the way.

"He's got a tough life, and good luck too."

Gu Changjin chuckled lightly, and then, amidst the bewildered gazes of the cultivators present, he suddenly spoke.

"Gu Qingxiao, Gu Xiaolou."

The two of them were stunned at the same time.

That voice... why does it sound so familiar?

Gu Changjin looked at the two little guys standing dumbfounded in the crowd, and his smile grew wider and wider.

"What's wrong? It's been so long."

"They don't even recognize their ancestor anymore?"