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

"Are you willing to accept this destiny, to become the new fire in this world, to guard this realm for me, and to protect all living beings?"

A desolate sound echoed throughout the main hall.

Gu Changjin looked up, seemingly not quite understanding at first.

First came bewilderment, then disbelief.

It was as if an ordinary celestial official who only wanted to cultivate peacefully had suddenly learned that he had been chosen to inherit the destiny of a realm, and he had no idea what expression to show on his face.

Several breaths passed before the initial bewilderment gradually transformed into delight.

But after the initial surprise came a heavy sense of responsibility for the well-being of all people.

Gu Changjin took a deep breath, his gaze gradually hardening.

"Zhenyan is willing!"

"If I can truly share the Palace Master's burdens, guard the fire path of this realm, and protect all living beings, Zhenyan will have no regrets even if it means sacrificing my life!"

After he finished speaking, he nodded emphatically.

His expression and tone were so sincere that there wasn't a single flaw in his sincerity.

The crimson flames on the platform were still for a moment, then suddenly expanded.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"good!"

"Okay, okay!"

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

The flames transformed into streaks of crimson-gold light, swirling continuously around the high platform.

The Palace Master of Huode Palace was genuinely happy.

Cultivation can be developed, and the Great Dao can be guided, but this willingness to take on the responsibilities of Heaven and Earth is the most precious.

After all, to take over the position of the source of fire, in addition to having cultivation and being in harmony with the Great Dao, the successor also needs to be willing from the bottom of their heart.

Heaven and earth do not recognize those who are forced.

Gu Changjin has now met two of the three conditions.

As for the remaining cultivation level, that's actually the easiest to deal with.

"In that case, you shall stay here and cultivate."

"From this day forward, you shall not leave the main hall without my permission."

Gu Changjin was slightly taken aback, then looked at the Fire Virtue Palace Master with a questioning gaze at just the right moment.

The voice of the Fire Virtue Palace Master became even gentler.

Don't overthink it.

"You now bear the responsibility of more than just your own path to immortality."

"Your safety is related to whether the Fire Path of this Realm can continue, and to the life and death of billions of living beings. There must be no mishap."

"I will personally protect you."

"You may use all the cultivation resources here at your leisure."

"As long as I can reach the pinnacle of True Immortality as soon as possible, any price I have to pay is worth it!"

That sounds nice.

Gu Changjin sighed inwardly.

The reason they don't let themselves leave is clearly because they're afraid of losing what they've already secured.

In this person's mouth, it all became about protecting all living beings under heaven.

But if the product is genuine, that's enough.

"Zhenyan understands!"

Gu Changjin nodded solemnly again, and then sat down cross-legged in the center of the hall.

He raised his hand and gestured.

A clump of Crimson Sun Immortal Marrow was the first to fall into his palm.

As the crimson-gold immortal flames rose, within just a few breaths, the immortal essence that would take an ordinary true immortal hundreds of years to refine rapidly melted, transforming into strands of pure power that entered the body.

Next up was the Nine-Turn Fire Lotus Pill.

Burning Realm Dao Crystal.

One after another, the most precious treasures of the Fire Path flew in.

Gu Changjin accepted as many as came.

As soon as all the power entered the body, it was silently swept away by the Dao Fruit, leaving only a trace of filtered fire Dao aura, which slowly rose in the outside world.

On the high platform, the Palace Master of Huode Palace watched this scene with satisfaction.

A fast refining speed indicates a solid foundation.

It was even more perfect than he had imagined.

As Gu Changjin gradually "immersed himself in cultivation," the Fire Virtue Palace Master's thoughts drifted back to an extremely distant past.

In that era, the celestial palace had not yet been established.

Humans, demons, and many other races live together in this world, each occupying their own territory.

They were among the first in this world to achieve true immortality.

However, once one's cultivation reaches the pinnacle of True Immortal, the path is cut off.

Some are preparing to ascend to the Realm of True Immortals, while others hesitate, wanting to remain in the lower realm to search for a path.

Until one day, a true immortal from the upper realm who had severed his cultivation secretly descended and was discovered by them.

They didn't show themselves immediately, but instead hid in the shadows and observed for a long time.

Subsequently, the second and third self-severing True Immortals appeared one after another.

They finally realized that these beings from the upper realm were all after the same thing.

Leap through the Immortal Gate!

Once a True Immortal reaches the Perfection stage and crosses the Immortal Leap Gate, they can directly enter the next realm, further refine their innate qualities and strengthen their Dao foundation, and even have the opportunity to be selected by the supreme lineage of the Upper Realm.

For these true immortals born in the lower realms, even if they ascend normally, they still have to start from the very bottom and work their way up step by step.

There was no foundation, no mentor, and no one cared.

Perhaps countless years will pass, and we will still remain in the same place.

It is different from leaping over the Immortal Gate.

That is a shortcut that can truly change your destiny!

So they took action.

Some of the self-severing True Immortals were intercepted and killed, and their memories, cultivation techniques, and knowledge of the Upper Realm also fell into their hands.

Later, the demon ancestor, who was known as the number one demon in the world, fled back to this place from the True Immortal Realm and was also besieged by them.

Ancient texts only record that in ancient times, humans and demons formed an alliance to invade the Central Region and wipe out the alien immortals. Later, the two sides turned against each other due to interests.

This is certainly not wrong, but what sentient beings see is always only the most superficial layer.

The so-called righteous cause of the race, the so-called ownership of the Central Region, what they are fighting for is actually the resources left behind by the True Immortals of the Upper Realm, and the greater chance of victory when the Immortal Leap Gate appears.

The one who truly changed everything was the number one immortal among the human race at that time.

The being who later founded the Celestial Palace proposed an almost insane idea.

Extract the essence of the world, and then let a true immortal fill that position!

In this way, not only can one use the world's original position to resist the erosion of the rules of lifespan in the lower realm and always maintain the peak, but one can also obtain power far exceeding that of ordinary True Immortals and eliminate enemies vying for the sect in advance.

As for the problem of being unable to leave this world after occupying the source, they had considered it at the time.

This position is not one that cannot be relinquished.

As long as successors who are compatible with the Great Dao, have sufficient cultivation, and are willing to inherit the origin are cultivated in advance, they can hand over their positions and regain their freedom when the Immortal Leap Gate opens.

At the time, this was not a dead end.

Instead, it's a strategy with both gains and losses, almost a guaranteed profit.

The Celestial Palace was thus born.

He was the luckiest at the time, being the first to find the source of fire that perfectly aligned with his own Dao.

From that time on, he became the fire of the world.

He also became one of the strongest among the five.

But they ultimately underestimated the cost.

People who truly align with their origins and are willing to take on this position are far harder to find than they imagine.

Even more terrifying is that, as countless years have passed, the very essence of heaven and earth has been gradually assimilating his consciousness.

At first, it was just that feelings had faded.

Later, even many things from the past began to blur.

If no successor can be found, perhaps one day he will completely forget who he is and turn into a pure fire between heaven and earth.

Just like the ones mentioned above.

The Palace Master of Huode thought of that exceptionally talented and brilliant first immortal of the human race.

How much of his own consciousness does the current Lord of the Celestial Palace still possess?

I'm afraid no one knows.

"There are always gains and losses..."

The crimson flames flickered gently.

But soon, that feeling of emotion was replaced by excitement.

His opportunity finally arrived!

As long as Gu Changjin takes over the position of the source of fire, he will be able to completely break free from the shackles of this world.

Once the Immortal Leap Sect appears, with the strength he has accumulated over the years, how many people can rival him?

Entering the upper realm, then joining the supreme lineage, one gains the favor of truly great figures.

An unprecedentedly bright path seemed to have been laid out before him.

boom!

Just as the Lord of Huode Palace was envisioning the future, a powerful aura suddenly startled him awake.

The entire fire channel of the main hall vibrated simultaneously.

He suddenly looked down.

Before Gu Changjin, the last piece of the Burning Realm Dao Crystal turned into ashes.

His aura had progressed from the initial stage of True Immortal, through the middle and late stages, and finally settled at the pinnacle of True Immortal!

"you……"

The crimson flames on the high platform surged violently.

"You've already reached the pinnacle of True Immortal Realm?!"

Gu Changjin opened his eyes blankly, first sensing himself, and then also showing a look of shock.

"Huh? This... how did I reach the pinnacle of True Immortal Realm?"

His expression suggested that even he himself didn't know what had happened.

The Palace Master of Huode Palace was too preoccupied to answer.

A streak of crimson-gold light descended instantly, sweeping around Gu Changjin.

The more he investigated, the more excited he became.

"Born near fire, impervious to all flames, the way of fire is inherent within them!"

"This is not an ordinary pure fire physique."

"Innate Fire Dao Sacred Body!"

"You're actually the legendary Innate Fire Path Saint Body!"

Gu Changjin was genuinely stunned this time.

What Holy Body?

I still have this?

After a moment's thought, he understood.

Most likely, it was a change that occurred after the body was casually modified by the Dao Fruit after consuming the source of fire.

I've never cared about my physical constitution.

Anyway, you can absorb cultivation techniques and Dao fruits.

Does it matter what your body type is?

The Palace Master of Huode Palace was completely overwhelmed by this surprise.

Pure Fire Dao, True Immortal Realm, Innate Fire Dao Sacred Body!

Where is this still appropriate?

This is simply a successor sent to him by heaven and earth!

Crimson-gold flames suddenly fell from the high platform and hovered in front of Gu Changjin.

"I'm not waiting any longer!"

"Zhenyan, get ready."

"I now pass the position of Fire to you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Fire Virtue Main Hall shook violently.

Countless fire dragon and fire phoenix carvings opened their eyes simultaneously.

Deep within the main hall, a crimson gold platform that had been burning for tens of thousands of years slowly rose from the ground.