“I don't know if Master will agree,” Chen Changsheng mused softly. To this day, he still hadn't figured out his Master's criteria for taking disciples. But perhaps, if he brought it up, Master would do him this favor? Chen Changsheng quickly departed. Wuwu watched Chen Changsheng's retreating figure, a subtle ripple stirring in his heart.
In the Northern Plains, Lu Xuan lay casually on a bed of profound ice, engrossed in a storybook. The Green-skirted Girl had already departed, still refining the power of the Star Core.
Suddenly, a terrifying sea of spirit fire erupted above Ji Fuyao's palace, its overwhelming momentum painting the entire sky. The air shimmered with the power of a boundless ocean of flames. Her aura surged relentlessly, on the verge of breaking through to the Supreme Realm!
Outside the Imperial Palace, Commander Wang Man and Commander Qing Yan, along with their troops, watched the celestial phenomenon in the sky with immense excitement.
“The aura of the Supreme Realm!”
“Empress Ji Fuyao is about to step into the Supreme Realm!”
Commander Wang Man and the others found it utterly unbelievable. It was happening too fast! How long had it been since Ji Fuyao became Lu Xuan's disciple? The first time she contacted them, she was merely at the Profound Venerate Realm! Yet, in just a few short years, she was directly entering the Supreme Realm! Truly astonishing!
Soon, the aura in the sky transformed. Ji Fuyao, in a single step, bypassed the bottleneck of Quasi-Dao Supreme and attained the Supreme Realm! It was worth noting that during this period, she had received many excellent items from Lu Xuan. After the battle in Cloud City, Lu Xuan had given her all the storage rings from the powerful cultivators, which contained treasures from high-star Supremes!
Moments later, the celestial aura began to stabilize as Ji Fuyao consolidated her cultivation foundation.
Lu Xuan lifted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Not bad.”
The System's voice chimed in his ear.
“Ding! Congratulations to Host's Eldest Disciple, Ji Fuyao, for breaking through to the Supreme Realm! Commencing cultivation synchronization!”
“Ding! Congratulations to Host's Fourth Disciple, Baili, for breaking through to the Supreme Realm! Commencing cultivation synchronization!”
“Ding! Congratulations to Host's Second Disciple, Ye Chen, for breaking through to Three-rotation Quasi-Dao Supreme! Commencing cultivation synchronization!”
As the notifications faded, an incredibly pure surge of spiritual energy flooded into Lu Xuan's body, impacting him like a mighty river. His cultivation instantly advanced to Four-star Supreme mid-stage!
With a thought of his divine sense, Lu Xuan's gaze pierced through space, landing on the Eastern Wilds. There, Xuanji Holy Lord, clad in a purple skirt, sat cross-legged atop a spiritual peak rich with Eerie Power. Her long skirt billowed around her, and a hint of joy touched her exquisite face. Eerie black mist swirled with faint divine radiance around her, making her appear a figure of peerless grace. The aura of the Supreme Realm, deep as an abyss and vast as the sea, poured forth, engulfing the surrounding land.
Not far away, the numerous powerful cultivators of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone watched in utter shock. Heavenly Fire Supreme and Heavenly Splendor Supreme, among others, bowed respectfully. “Congratulations, Holy Lord, on attaining the Supreme Realm!”
Xuanji Holy Lord's graceful neck inclined slightly, and she gave a faint nod. With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed out a storage ring. “Divide it amongst yourselves.”
Whoosh! The storage ring transformed into a streak of light, landing in Heavenly Fire Supreme's palm. His divine sense probed within, and he was instantly stunned. Inside were a hundred thousand Star Stones! Several Supreme Weapons! And even Supreme-tier cultivation techniques!
Heavenly Fire Supreme immediately knelt, trembling with excitement. “Thank you, Holy Lord!”
Xuanji Holy Lord simply nodded.
Lu Xuan's voice then echoed in her mind. “Well done, my disciple!”
A faint smile touched Xuanji Holy Lord's lips. “Thank you, Master.”
Just then, the System's voice rang in Lu Xuan's ear.
“Ding! Disciple Recruitment Quest Issued: Host, please travel to the Western Desert within three days to recruit your Fifth Disciple, Wuwu.”
The notification left Lu Xuan utterly dumbfounded. The System truly didn't play by the rules! He had assumed his fifth disciple would be the Silver-haired Woman or Xiao Mo! Wuwu! He never expected Wuwu to become his fifth disciple. This guy had deep ties to Dao Yi and Chen Changsheng. So, he was destined to become his disciple after all.
Lu Xuan slowly rose. “Time to go.”
Suddenly, with a thunderous boom and a sharp crack, the void tore open, and space twisted violently. Chen Changsheng stepped out of the spatial rift, his gray robe settling around him as he landed in Lu Xuan's room. “Master, I'd like to discuss something with you.”
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Oh?” He hadn't expected his Third Disciple to proactively seek him out. If he wasn't mistaken, it must have a great deal to do with Chen Changsheng himself. “Speak,” Lu Xuan said.
Chen Changsheng rubbed his nose. “Master, do you have any plans to take on new disciples recently?”
Lu Xuan feigned indifference. “Not particularly.”
Chen Changsheng cleared his throat. “I have a candidate in mind.”
“Tell me about it,” Lu Xuan said.
“Wuwu!” Chen Changsheng explained. “Wuwu was formed from a wisp of Dao Yi's obsession, severed by Liu Ruyan. His physical body and soul are incredibly pure, making him a natural Buddhist cultivator. His future cultivation achievements are truly limitless.”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “It's rare to see you so strongly recommend someone.”
Chen Changsheng remained silent, a slight flush on his face.
“Let me think about it,” Lu Xuan said, deliberately prolonging the suspense.
“I'll go make Master some food right away,” Chen Changsheng quickly offered.
Soon after, Ji Fuyao, resplendent in a fiery red dress, her figure exquisite and her aura profoundly deep, entered Lu Xuan's room. She smiled sweetly. “Master, I've reached the Supreme Realm!”
Lu Xuan smiled back. “Keep up the good work.”
Chen Changsheng, busy cooking nearby, then spoke. “Senior Sister, we're about to have a Fifth Junior Brother.”
Ji Fuyao was momentarily stunned, her gaze flicking to Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan remained silent.
“Who is it?” Ji Fuyao asked.
“Wuwu,” Chen Changsheng replied.
Ji Fuyao, intrigued, asked, “Did Master say he'd accept him?”
Chen Changsheng rubbed his nose. “Master didn't refuse, so he must think it's a good idea.”
Ji Fuyao pondered this. “That does sound like Master.” If Master didn't want to do something, he would reject it immediately.
“Master,” Chen Changsheng added, “let's go after we've eaten.”
Lu Xuan was speechless. That Third Disciple of mine, he really pays attention to my habits.
Not far from the Tai Chu Realm, a cloud ship traversed the starry sky. Wherever it passed, icy power surged like a frigid tide, its brilliant Dao patterns manifesting a path of frost.
Boom! These were several elders from the Ice Soul Realm! At the front of the cloud ship, Gu Bingfeng, clad in a gray robe, stood as the void's gale ruffled his hair. He looked towards the Tai Chu Realm and spoke faintly, “The Dark Void constantly generates a powerful 'Stance.' I fear it won't be long before the Tai Chu Realm is swallowed by the Dark Void.”
Behind him, a black-robed man responded, “Indeed! These small realms near the Tai Chu Realm cannot resist the Dark Void's power in the slightest! To be precise, given enough time, all stars beyond the Fourth Star Ring will be devoured by the Dark Void!”
“That's a problem for much later,” Gu Bingfeng dismissed.
The black-robed man continued, “Our first task on this trip is to investigate what happened to our Ice Soul Realm elders in the Tai Chu Realm last time, and then to seize and exploit all the living beings of the Northern Plains.”