The moment Wang Wu appeared, a fleeting trace of astonishment and slight fear crossed Xu Taiping’s face, which was usually as steady as a mountain. Despite the sixty thousand years that had passed, how could he possibly forget?

Composing himself, he hurried forward several steps, bowing deeply in a formal salute, sincerely apprehensive, not daring to act rashly.

However, Wang Wu wasn’t interested in playing mind games with him and directly asked, "Where are my old friends? How did the Hidden Origin Association end up being led by you?"

Xu Taiping knelt down with a thud, quickly saying:

"Replying to you, venerable sir, I was appointed by the former leader of the Hidden Origin Association, Shuang Liuyun, to temporarily take over. The leader before Shuang Liuyun was your old friend, Feng Muhai. They were commanded by the Daluo from the Immortal Realm to proceed to the All Heavens Immortal Realm. In fact, not long ago, I also received a command from the Daluo of the Immortal Realm, instructing me to handle various matters of the Hidden Origin Association within six months, and then proceed to the All Heavens Immortal Realm. Please understand, venerable sir!"

"So that’s how it is. Who else has been commanded to go to the All Heavens Immortal Realm?" Wang Wu nodded, finding it quite understandable.

"Replying to the venerable sir, Lu Tong, Zhuang Bufei, Qu Shenglian, and Shuang Wan Nian have all been commanded to go. It’s said that Lu Tong and Shuang Wan Nian have both advanced to Half-step Daluo. Additionally, there is something I must report: your beloved friends and family have all passed away due to the exhaustion of their lifespans..."

Wang Wu nodded silently. He had noticed when he arrived; the time span was too long, a full sixty thousand years. How could Madam Yu, General Xuelang, Old Niu, and the others endure?

Even the most outstanding Yuan Bupu couldn’t break through.

Cultivation is indeed lonely.

Wang Wu did not ask any more questions about Qingxue’s current situation. As one of the seven Half-step Daluo who broke through back then, she was considered experienced and probably hiding somewhere, unlikely to show herself easily now.

With a wave of his hand, he left the place, standing above the Floating City of the Hidden Origin Association, watching this bustling mobile Cultivation Realm, feeling utterly unable to blend in.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to awaken Frost Monarch next. He intended to help Frost Monarch advance to Half-step Daluo, as there’s no reason Frost Monarch shouldn’t step up now that Half-step Daluo was admitting more.

As for Qingxue’s Half-step Daluo, that was her own power. Ever since they parted ways back then, they have become two separate individuals.

Though Wang Wu claimed he wanted to conquer her again, in reality, he would merely regard her as an old friend. He still preferred Frost Monarch, someone who genuinely resonated with him.

To be honest, having such a close companion has already been a tremendous blessing, and he doesn’t dare to ask for more.

"Wang Wu, Wang Zhige, long time no see!"

A voice called out from afar, though the person remained ten thousand miles away. It turned out to be another old acquaintance, Elder Hui.

It was no surprise that he had advanced to Half-step Daluo.

Clearly wary of Wang Wu, considering the thousands of years that had passed, who knew how Wang Wu’s personality might have changed? He feared disagreeing with Wang Wu too abruptly might lead to conflict.

Wang Wu knew this well, guessing Elder Hui had come to persuade him.

It’s likely the previous battle with Bai Yu led the Daluo to believe he might become the next Dubhe.

After all, he had somewhat proven his own yin-yang balance by now, right?

From afar, Wang Wu cupped his hands toward Elder Hui, sending a hint of friendliness. He’s not irrational; as long as he’s not pushed too far, he won’t overreact.

"How have you been, venerable sir?"

"Haha! Thank you for still addressing me as venerable sir."

Elder Hui finally dared to approach. He hadn’t changed much, except for the Heaven and Earth Tower he was holding, reminiscent of the guardian deities with towers in their hands.

In reality, this was a standard feature for these newly advanced Half-step Daluo. Whether it was Bai Yu or the three observing Half-step Daluo outside the Cold Realm, they all took this form.

They either held a tower or carried it on their backs because they couldn’t assimilate it as Wang Wu did with the Heaven and Earth Shield.

Frankly, Wang Wu only realized now how remarkable it was for him to integrate the Heaven and Earth Shield into himself.

Both the Heaven and Earth Shield and Tower are essentially the same, classed as Eternal Firm Immortal Artifacts, and the ability to merge with them was truly out of the ordinary.

It’s worth mentioning that the Twelve Great Luo once relocated thousands of Sin Prison Towers from the Cultivation Realm, so enrolling a few thousand Half-step Daluo would be no problem at all.

Additionally, due to the nature of the Heaven and Earth Towers, they don’t easily collapse or get damaged even if a Half-step Daluo were to perish, reflecting the glory of the past Cultivation Realm.

But where are the Daluo and Half-step Daluo who crafted these towers today?

In the course of even longer timelines, even the Daluo are but a drop in the ocean.

"You came to persuade me, venerable sir. Rest assured, as long as I’m not driven to a dead end, I will keep my composure."

"Haha!"

Elder Hui laughed awkwardly a couple of times, then suddenly said, "Five thousand years ago, I encountered Frost Monarch, but she claimed to be Qingxue instead, without any consideration for her father, seemingly becoming a completely different person. Moreover, she switched her personal cultivation path to the Way of Heartlessness."

"She’s definitely not Frost Monarch. Frost Monarch is with me and currently in seclusion."

Wang Wu responded calmly, not surprised in the least.

Upon hearing this, Elder Hui seemed to have guessed something, with a slight hint of surprise in his eyes, but he let the topic drop and said, "Wang Wu, do you know that the Great Cultivation Realm we inhabit has become slightly unstable ever since Dubhe self-destructed back in the day? If we do nothing, in millions of years, this only path might disappear!"

"That’s why the Twelve Great Luo decided to join forces to suppress the only path, but doing so requires more resources. Consequently, they decided to embark on an external expedition eight thousand years ago, to seize resources and guard the only path. However, the criteria for joining the expedition are high, starting at Half-step Daluo."

"As a result, the Hidden Origin Divine Monarch, who once chose to split from the Twelve Great Luo, decided to go on the expedition for resource acquisition and to seek opportunities to prove their path to becoming Daluo. Qingxue also chose this path."

"Because, in reality, there are no longer opportunities or slots for proving the Daluo path here. So, Wang Wu, would you be willing to embark on an external expedition? In ten years, a small expedition team will set off, and I will be among them. If you’re interested, you can come to the All Heavens Immortal Realm at any time. You needn’t worry about anything, just come straight away."

With that said, Elder Hui smiled, cupped his hands again, and departed.

Wang Wu stood there, seemingly pondering. He had seen expedition teams before, and he had also seen the outside world.

When Dubhe self-destructed, destroying the Cultivation Realm, he was buried and unconscious for fifty thousand years. Upon awakening, he traversed through numerous space cracks to find that group of palaces.

Initially, he really thought it was the Daluo’s Tomb. Later, he realized it was an independent world where he even witnessed an expedition team exploring.

It seems it all stemmed from the issue of resource scarcity.

So, should he go?

Or maybe he should first visit the All Heavens Immortal Realm. Since the cards have been laid on the table, it would be good to understand the situation thoroughly.

Additionally, he could purchase some Drunken Immortal Wine or even better immortal medicines to enhance the Divine Soul, which would benefit Frost Monarch’s awakening and greatly improve Wang Wu’s significant shortcomings as well. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

That’s right, his current weak point should indeed be the Divine Soul.

Previously, when that White Fish used the path of compassion, he was affected.

If it weren’t for his proficiency in matryoshka, he wouldn’t have passed the second round.

Next, Wang Wu followed the trajectory of the Twenty-four Solar Terms, made a big circle, then quickly aligned and entered a spiral structure.

This is the correct method to enter All Heavens Immortal Realm.

Any entry not following this method is considered a forced entry.

Not only does it violate the Celestial Law, but it also mainly disrupts and damages the vortex structure of the Great Cultivation Realm.

Thus, it’s fine to showcase individuality elsewhere, but if you insist on doing something that harms others without benefiting yourself, it’s not only bad but also particularly foolish!

After aligning, he spiraled upward following the vortex structure for twelve turns, and All Heavens Immortal Realm suddenly appeared.

But it was quite natural, nothing special; everything in front of him didn’t match the imagination of the Immortal Realm.

It even seemed a bit too humble.

However, Wang Wu could see what was happening: in a word, the resources were lacking. That explosion by Dubhe Old Man back then, to fill that hole, those Twelve Great Luo must have bled quite a bit.

The key is that bleeding is necessary.

There’s no alternative outlet here.

This sole great path is the foundation of everyone’s cultivation.

If the sole great path collapses, everyone will be trapped, no exception.

The same goes for Wang Wu.

He naturally knew that an expedition beyond the borders, from a certain perspective, was immoral, but so what? In the face of cultivation, there’s no room for nonsense; plundering is the most correct answer.

Of course, today you plunder the outside world, but in the future, if invaded and plundered by the outside world, just don’t complain.

Thinking this way, finally, there was a proper building befitting the Immortal Realm ahead.

It was a floating Celestial Palace, and from its architectural style, it should be the handiwork of the Profound Celestial Sect.

But inside this Celestial Palace, there was no one; only at the entrance of the Celestial Palace, an old man like a mortal was sweeping fallen leaves from who knows where.

Wang Wu stood still and respectfully bowed.

"This junior and ignorant kid, pays respects to the senior master!"

Indeed, this was a Daluo, and very likely one of the oldest and strongest.

Although he didn’t look impressive at all, Wang Wu dared not be careless.

However, Wang Wu waited for a long time and didn’t hear the old man speak, only the sound of sweeping for a long while, until even the sound of sweeping ceased, leaving only the quiet wind blowing by.

Wang Wu slowly raised his head, but where was the sweeper? Even the floating Celestial Palace was gone.

Only he remained in the wild mountainous terrain.

What does this mean?

Or did he unknowingly fall into a trap?

The strength and realm of a Daluo were something he couldn’t aspire to.

No, that’s not right.

The sole great path, when perfected, why must it be confined to human form?

The surrounding majestic mountains, these flowers and trees, the floating clouds in the sky, the gentle breeze by the ear, all are part of the path.

"Thank you, Senior, for your enlightenment!"

Wang Wu loudly expressed his gratitude.

But there was no response.

Moments later, a voice came from behind.

"Wang Wu, are you willing to join the Profound Celestial Sect?"

What?

Wang Wu was startled and, upon opening his eyes, found himself unknowingly standing on a towering Celestial Palace, with no wild mountainous terrain surrounding him.

In front of him was a withered old man who appeared ordinary but contained the essence of heaven and earth. Clearly, it was the one who had successfully challenged Daluo six thousand years ago, the last Daluo.

But how had he changed so much?

After all, back then, he was truly graceful and unrivaled in bearing.

However, that’s not important.

This was clearly an olive branch extended from the other side, also a signal. If he didn’t agree, just joking, why wouldn’t he agree?

"Naturally willing, it is an honor for this junior."

Wang Wu replied without hesitation.

"Good!"

The withered old man said, "From today onwards, you will be my closed-door disciple. Now go, and take care of yourself."