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

At Lingdao Peak, in front of the Foreign Affairs Hall, Xu Heng was completely stunned, still clutching the decree that the sect had just sent.

The law contains only a few lines of text, yet every single word looks and reads like something out of a dream.

When Gu Taishang attained enlightenment and became a deity in the Duanyun Mountains, the Chixiao Sect retreated three thousand miles, and the Xiji Luobai Sect sent an envoy to congratulate him.

All disciples of Lingdao Peak should immediately prepare to welcome Daojun Gu back to the sect.

It wasn't Grand Master Gu, but Daojun Gu.

Dao Lord!? A Nascent Soul Dao Lord?!

Xu Heng stared at those words, unable to process what he had just heard for a long time.

The other two Foundation Establishment disciples beside them were in similar situations.

The three of them had just recently accepted something.

That is, their own master, who was a Golden Core Ancestor nearing the end of his lifespan, suddenly became the Nascent Soul Supreme Elder of the sect.

Their Lingdao Peak, which was on the verge of collapse, suddenly rose to prominence within the sect.

These days, when they go out, not only are their peers at the Foundation Establishment stage addressed as "Senior Brother," but even some disciples of Golden Core elders will politely call them that.

This life is already dreamlike enough.

Now, someone has told them.

Dreams can get even more outrageous.

Their master is no longer a Nascent Soul cultivator.

He has reached the level of a deity.

Xu Heng swallowed hard, looked at his junior brother with a somewhat blank expression, and asked.

"Did we see wrong?"

The Foundation Establishment junior brother standing next to Xu Heng also had a vacant look in his eyes and said somewhat blankly.

"Senior brother, why don't you read it again?"

Xu Heng looked down and glanced at it again.

Then silence.

That's right.

Not a single word is wrong.

Another Foundation Establishment disciple suddenly gasped and belatedly said.

"Then...wouldn't we be disciples of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord from now on?"

The three of them exchanged glances.

The next moment, they all saw uncontrollable ecstasy in each other's eyes.

They were once disciples of the dying Golden Core cultivators, and later became disciples of the sect's newly promoted Nascent Soul Grandmaster.

Now he's actually a disciple of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord?!

In such a short time, his life has taken a triple leap!?

That's just how realistic the cultivation world is.

Your master is dying, and nobody cares about you.

Your master is a Golden Core cultivator, so it's just polite for others to call you "Senior Brother."

Your master is a Nascent Soul cultivator, so if others call you senior brother, it's because you're giving them face.

Your master has become a deity?

Excuse me.

Even a Golden Core elder would have to think twice before smiling at you.

Xu Heng took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the smile on his face.

"No one is allowed to get cocky; Master dislikes ostentation the most."

The other two nodded quickly.

"clear."

"Keep a low profile, we must keep a low profile."

Even so, the three of them could hardly suppress the smiles on their faces.

Low key?

It's okay to keep a low profile.

But as a disciple of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, he couldn't keep a low profile!

……

Outside the Xuan Yang Sect's mountain gate.

The sect's protective formation has already been fully activated.

Purple aura stretches across the sky, and auspicious clouds pave the way.

Bells rang out one after another from the main peaks.

The disciples guarding the mountain stood ramrod straight, not daring to bend their backs even slightly.

They had already received the orders.

Gu Daojun returned to his clan today.

When Gu Changjin achieved the Nascent Soul stage, the entire Xuan Yang Sect was shaken.

So now, it is reverence.

A Nascent Soul Dao Lord!

Even if the Xuan Yang Sect had produced a Nascent Soul cultivator in its ancestors, and even if there was another Nascent Soul ancestor outside the sect who traveled far away along the ancient road to the Central Plains.

However, within the Xuan Yang Sect today, Gu Changjin is the only Nascent Soul cultivator.

He was also the one who could truly determine the rise and fall of a sect with a single word.

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared on the horizon, and a figure in black robes appeared outside the mountain gate, accompanied by a young man and a young woman.

Gu Changjin stood with his hands behind his back, his aura completely concealed.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone already knew his identity, he would have looked like an ordinary old man.

But no one dared to actually think that way.

The more this happens, the more uneasy one feels.

Returning to simplicity and authenticity, existing in harmony with heaven and earth—this is the true essence of a Daoist master.

The disciples of the mountain gate immediately knelt down.

"Greetings, Lord Gu!"

The sound spread through layers of magic.

The next moment, several Nascent Soul-level beams of light flew from the main peak, back mountain, and Lingyue Peak of the Xuan Yang Sect.

Zhou Xuanyue arrived the fastest, followed closely by the Crimson-Robed Supreme, Qin Wenyue also arrived, along with two Nascent Soul Supremes with relatively low presence.

The group landed in front of the mountain gate and looked at Gu Changjin with complicated expressions.

Not long ago, they even called Gu Changjin their junior brother.

Even if things don't go well, we're still fellow Daoists.

What about now?

He could only obediently call him Daojun.

The rules of the cultivation world have always been the same: the strong are respected.

Zhou Xuanyue was the first to cup his hands in greeting, his smile tinged with emotion.

"Welcome back to the sect, Daoist Gu."

"Daojun has kept this from us for so long."

Gu Changjin smiled.

"Why be so distant, Senior Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Xuanyue's lips twitched slightly.

He really doesn't dare to accept being called "senior brother" now.

The red-robed Supreme Lord laughed loudly beside him.

"What you've said, Daoist Gu, makes it impossible for us to presume to be your senior brothers."

"From now on, if you call me junior brother, I'll feel like my ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke."

Several Nascent Soul Grandmasters laughed along.

The atmosphere wasn't too tense, since Gu Changjin had gotten along fairly well with the Nascent Soul cultivators from his family faction.

We explored the Great Luo Secret Treasure together, shared resources together, and were all moved by his images.

Although my status has changed, I don't mean I have to be cold and aloof right away.

Of course, while they were polite and respectful, no one dared to truly place themselves on equal footing with Gu Changjin.

Soon, everyone's attention fell on Gu Qingxiao and Gu Xiaolou.

These two younger family members are now of extraordinary significance.

The core bloodline of the Gu family is almost extinct.

These two are among the few direct descendants of Gu Changjin.

What's more, I heard that they also inherited the legacy of the Meteorite Ruins.

Then it's even more worthwhile to form a positive connection.

Zhou Xuanyue was the first to take out two jade bottles.

"These two must be the younger members of the Gu family?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you; I haven't prepared anything special."

"These two bottles of Qingxuan Nourishing Spirit Pills are useful for both Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages. Consider them a small gift."

The red-robed Supreme followed closely behind and immediately took out two protective jade talismans.

"These two Crimson Sun Amulets of mine can withstand an attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator. You should take them for self-defense."

Qin Wenyue also sent out two small sword embryos, and the other Nascent Soul Grandmasters, seeing this, naturally did not lag behind.

Elixirs, talismans, magical artifacts, and spiritual jade were delivered one after another.

Gu Qingxiao remained composed, accepting the gift with both hands and thanking him respectfully.

Gu Xiaolou was much happier, her face beaming as if she had found a spiritual ore.

"Thank you, Your Excellencies."

"Thank you, senior."

She has a sweet tongue and is quick to back down.

Gu Changjin saw this, but simply smiled and shook his head.

These two little rascals are quite adept at taking advantage of opportunities.

But this is for the best.

The Gu family is gone, but the Xuan Yang Sect still exists.

Now that he has reached the Nascent Soul stage, he naturally has to take over the power of the Xuan Yang Sect.

This is not just about saving face, but also about resources, or rather, about matching one's status and position.

Xuan Yang Sect is, after all, a major sect in the Western Wilderness. With its affiliated sects, spirit mines, herb gardens, markets, and secret treasures, it is an absolute behemoth.

More importantly, the ancestors of most of the major sects in the Western Wilderness came from the Central Continent's Great Luo Heaven Domain and pioneered their way here.

They all had some old acquaintances with each other.

Since our ancestors were so close, why can't we get closer to each other again?

They say that people of the same blood are connected by blood.

Since they are branches, why not combine them into a tree?

Why distinguish between each other?

Of course, this is just the superficial sense of righteousness.

The real reason is that Gu Changjin needs resources.

Innate spiritual objects can be transformed into the Dao Yuan.

The Dao Yuan of Guiyi comes quickly, but it is also consumed quickly.

He originally had three thousand strands.

He broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, opened the Xuanming Guixu Cave Heaven, deduced cultivation techniques, tempered his natal spirit sword, and casually added some things to the cultivation techniques of the two juniors.

After all that, only a little over a thousand strands remained.

This thing is like money from a past life.

It looks like a lot, but once you spend it, sigh, it really doesn't last long.

If you want to continue traveling back and forth through the void, and if you want to build up the Myriad Demons Sect, your natal spirit sword, and the Xuanming Guixu Cave Heaven, you will need more resources.

Gu Changjin's mind raced with thoughts, but his expression remained gentle.

His gaze swept over the Nascent Soul Grandmasters who had come to greet him.

He may not remember all the people who came.

But he will definitely remember who didn't come.

A moment later, Gu Changjin suddenly smiled.

"Where is Junior Brother Cangxuan?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in front of the mountain gate quieted down slightly.

Junior Brother Cangxuan?

Previously, Gu Changjin had to call Cangxuan Zhenjun "fellow Daoist" and even "senior brother" in terms of cultivation level.

Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with calling him "junior brother."

Those who achieve success come first.

The fact that the Nascent Soul Daoist was willing to address the late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator as his junior brother is already considered a great honor.

Zhou Xuanyue and the others exchanged glances for a moment.

Is this still a choice?

Previously, when True Monarch Cangxuan was the number one person in the Xuan Yang Sect, we and others would have to hesitate, but that's no longer the case.

Gu Changjin's words themselves carried a hint of asking people to take sides.

The Supreme Elder in the Crimson Robe coughed lightly.

"It seems that Junior Brother Cangxuan has gone to the forbidden area in the back mountain, saying that he is going into seclusion."

Zhou Xuanyue nodded slowly.

"It is indeed inappropriate for Daoist Lord to not come to greet him today as he returns to the sect."

Gu Changjin's smile remained unchanged.

"Seclusion?"

"Alright."

"I will go and give him some pointers."

As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from outside the mountain gate in a flash.

Before Gu Qingxiao and Gu Xiaolou could react, Zhou Xuanyue and the others' expressions had already changed.

……

The cave in the back mountain.

Yun Qingli sat cross-legged on the cold jade futon.

Her cultivation level has now recovered to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Of course, this is not because she is truly exceptionally talented.

It was True Monarch Cangxuan who was willing to invest resources.

She was once the sect leader of the Xuan Yang Sect and a Golden Core cultivator. Now that she has started cultivating again, as long as she has enough resources, it will not be difficult for her to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

But it gets difficult after that.

Yun Qingli herself knew that the chances of returning to the Golden Core stage in this lifetime were slim.

As for revenge?

It's a joke.

After Gu Changjin became a Nascent Soul Supreme, she knew she would never have another chance in this lifetime.

Moreover, there are now rumors circulating that Gu Changjin has attained the Dao and become a deity.

The words "Transformation into a Divine Being" weighed down on her, making even her hatred seem somewhat laughable.

Yun Qingli looked down at the crescent moon pendant on her neck.

The pendant was an old item from her home.

She didn't know what kind of past relationship her ancestors had with Cangxuan Zhenjun.

I only remember that when True Lord Cangxuan saw this crescent moon pendant, his eyes were filled with complex emotions for a long time.

Then he took her as his apprentice.

From then on, she rose rapidly through the ranks, eventually becoming the sect leader of the Xuan Yang Sect.

Unfortunately, everything was ruined by Gu Changjin.

Lu Huaizhen is dead.

She was also rendered useless.

The position of sect leader is gone.

Now we can only rebuild it little by little in this cave.

Yun Qingli sighed softly and opened her eyes.

Then, she froze.

Inside the cave, a figure dressed in black appeared out of nowhere.

Gu Changjin stood in front of her, looking at her calmly.

But in that instant, Yun Qingli felt that she was not seeing a person.

It is a world unto itself.

She opened her mouth, about to speak.

boom.

She completely exploded on the spot.

The blood mist bloomed on the cold jade futon, only to be instantly crushed into nothingness by the power of the cave.

There wasn't even a scream.

Gu Changjin's eyes remained completely unmoved.

Yun Qingli?

Of course he remembers.

He's a very vengeful person.

He's already on his little notebook, and he thinks he can just rewrite it?

It's a beautiful idea.

Just kill it.

Gu Changjin looked up and gazed deeper into the back mountain.

That's the direction of the forbidden area of ​​the Xuan Yang Sect.

"That old bastard Cang Xuan, even on his deathbed, he still wants to struggle?"

With a slight movement of his sleeves, his figure vanished once more.

The next moment, they headed towards the forbidden area behind the mountain.