In the ancient era, the Epoch Immortal had rarely tasted defeat. The fundamental reason was his ability to foresee the future, knowing whether he was more likely to win or lose.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy had praised this ability as the “Great Unbeatable Core.”

After the Epoch Immortal finished assessing all future possibilities, he broke out in a cold sweat, silently cursing Mingyu’s unreliability.

The true sect leader of the Dao-Seeking Sect? With such terrifying cultivation, it’d be more fitting to call her the true ruler of the Great Xia!

At this thought, a smile spread across the Epoch Immortal’s face. He already had Buddha-like features, and his smile made him look even more benevolent.

“I’ve known Everlasting for a long time. How could I not believe her?

“If she says you are the strongest of the present age, then you certainly are!”

The Epoch Immortal altered the future with mere words, unnoticed by anyone. This alone demonstrated his power.

“In that case, it’s also true that I am the strongest of the future?” Lu Yang pointed to himself in excitement. Though the future is uncertain, if the governor of time himself has spoken, it must be credible.

“Of course, you are definitely the strongest of the future, Young Friend Lu Yang,” the Epoch Immortal stated with conviction. From now on, I will take issue with anyone who claims otherwise. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“You possess an Everlasting Incipient Dao Fruit and an immortal body. That means that you are no longer a mere Divine Transfiguration cultivator. You have created an entirely new cultivation realm—the Immortal Transfiguration Stage!

“Making up something and creating a realm from nothing—that is something only the great sages of antiquity could achieve!”

Lu Yang hissed. So I’m actually this powerful?

Yun Zhi was also curious about the Epoch Immortal’s experiences over the past three hundred millennia. He had no choice but to recount once more how he had been leaping through time all these years.

“Senior Epoch Immortal, your methods are truly incredible.”

Faced with Yun Zhi’s compliment, the Epoch Immortal could only respond with an awkward smile.

“Senior Epoch Immortal, would you like to visit our Dao-Seeking Sect then?” Lu Yang extended an invitation.

“No. Xitian Temple has just been through a great battle. Who knows if further incidents would occur? I’ll stay in the Mahavira Hall and serve as a safeguard.

“Please keep my existence a secret for now, lest unforeseen troubles arise.”

“What about Senior Heaven Mandate Immortal...”

“There is no need to meet him or inform him of my existence. Heaven Mandate, Nine-Layers, and Qilin—I trust none of them now.” After a pause, he added, “However, the Heaven-Splitting Axe can be returned to him. I’ve borrowed it for three hundred thousand years. It’s time to give it back.”

Lu Yang awkwardly said, “Uh, Senior Heaven Mandate Immortal has forged a new weapon for himself. It seems he doesn’t really need the Heaven-Splitting Axe.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll continue to keep it safe for him.” The Epoch Immortal then took the Heaven-Splitting Axe from Lu Yang. If anything else happens at Xitian Temple, this axe can still help conceal my presence.

“One more thing. How is that child Tang Chuanwu doing?”

“We were worried he might run into more danger, so he’s now staying at our Dao-Seeking Sect.”

“I remember he has no spirit root.” The Epoch Immortal picked out several different spirit fruits from the altar. These were offerings for the Mahavira Hall, each one priceless.

“Let him eat these fruits in the correct order. They will help him form an acquired Metal Spirit Root.”

“I thank you on Chuanwu’s behalf, Senior.”

“A small matter.”

Lu Yang and the other two bade farewell to the Epoch Immortal and left the Mahavira Hall.

After the Epoch Immortal waved them off, he looked at the ruined Xitian Temple and mumbled, “Young Friend Lu Yang’s explosions were really thorough. Who knows when we’ll be able to rebuild Xitian Temple?”

~~~

“Is the Heavenly Sovereign never coming back?” In the dead of night, Xinding tossed and turned on his bed, his mind replaying the battle earlier in the day.

Amid the chaos of the battle, no one had noticed the Qingfeng Sword flying out from behind him. After that battle, the Heavenly Sovereign vanished, never showing up again.

Suddenly, specks of golden light appeared in his tent. They gathered together, coalescing into a golden figure.

“Little monk, why are you still not asleep at this hour?”

“Heavenly Sovereign!”

The Tofu Heavenly Sovereign stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky with eyes that had seen the vicissitudes of life. “Xitian Temple has ultimately been reduced to ruins due to my emergence. But after this battle, my karmic ties have been dissolved. There is no longer any reason for me to remain.”

“Heavenly Sovereign, may I go with you?” Xinding looked at the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign reluctantly. Although they had only been together for a few months, Xinding had long regarded the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign as his shifu.

The Tofu Heavenly Sovereign shook his head. “Little monk, you have an innate affinity with Buddhism. To join my lineage would hinder you instead. Staying at Xitian Temple is the best choice for you.

“Cultivate diligently, and you may yet see me again.”

With that, the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign once again transformed into specks of golden light and disappeared.

~~~

Lu Yang arrived at the gates of Xitian City to meet up with Yun Zhi and Ye Zijin.

“All settled?”

“All settled. Let’s head back.”

Ye Zijin circled Lu Yang curiously. “Little Junior Brother, have you really become an immortal?” I still can’t figure out how Little Junior Brother became like this.

“Only within the Buddhist Kingdom. Besides, this isn’t true immortality,” Lu Yang replied modestly.

When Lu Yang left the Buddhist Kingdom, he left behind the immortal body along with the Everlasting Incipient Dao Fruit. If he ever returned, he could become an immortal again at any time.

Though I’m reluctant, I can’t stay in the Buddhist Kingdom forever just because of that.

“Back to the sect!” Lu Yang spoke with his chest puffed out and his head held high.

This trip to the Buddhist Kingdom has been immensely fruitful. I found the Heaven-Splitting Axe and the Epoch Immortal, obtained an immortal body, and captured the Timekeeper Divine Lord. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call me the great hero who saved the Buddhist Kingdom.

Then, Lu Yang stealthily crossed the border and returned to Great Xia. As he had been taken out of Great Xia by a Nian Year beast, he didn’t have a departure record.

~~~

Upon returning to the familiar Dao-Seeking Sect, Lu Yang relaxed. The Buddhist Kingdom is nice, but the Dao-Seeking Sect still feels the most comfortable for me.

“Big Senior Sister, I’ll see you later!” Lu Yang temporarily said goodbye and dashed straight to the Great Mission Hall. Such a major event has transpired in the Buddhist Kingdom, and I even captured the Timekeeper Divine Lord. How many contribution points can I exchange for this?

Inside his room, Dai Bufan frowned and rubbed his chin while holding an intelligence report, when he heard a familiar knock at the door.

“Senior Brother Dai, are you in?”

“Ah, it’s Junior Brother Lu. Come in.”

Lu Yang pushed the door open and entered, radiating an aura as refreshing as a spring breeze, in stark contrast to Dai Bufan.

“Junior Brother Lu, you came at just the right time.” Dai Bufan beckoned him over. “I just received intelligence that the Timekeeper Divine Lord of the Great Qian attacked Xitian Temple but was defeated by a mysterious immortal who suddenly appeared. I heard from Big Senior Sister that you have quite an affinity with immortals. Do you know who this mysterious immortal is?”

“I do.”

“You actually know?” Dai Bufan was stunned. I had only asked casually without any real hope, yet Junior Brother Lu actually has the answer?

“Who is it?”

Lu Yang pointed to himself with pride. “It’s me.”

“Huh?” Dai Bufan’s head was full of question marks. He couldn’t understand what Lu Yang meant, or rather, his level of understanding was incapable of grasping it.

Seeing that Dai Bufan didn’t believe him, Lu Yang whipped out a recording orb. It displayed a first-person view of his battle with the Timekeeper Divine Lord.

Lu Yang’s face was wreathed in smiles as he shared the good news with his beloved Senior Brother Dai.

“Senior Brother Dai, I’ve become an immortal.”