What is an immortal?

Chapter 1088 - 1053: Return

"No need for formalities, the portal is closing soon. Pack lightly and follow me back." Yuan Ming waved his hand.

However, Wang Fulong suddenly hesitated. His expression shifted for a moment, and he finally tightened his lips, seemingly making up his mind.

"My lord, please return without waiting for me." He said seriously.

"Hmm? Are you sure? If you miss the deadline and the portal closes, who knows when you will return? Even though I have the Shura Palace, which allows travel between realms, I must prioritize the Demon Clan invasion and won't easily come to fetch you." Yuan Ming reminded.

"I'm aware of these, my lord. My entire life, I've enjoyed glory and power, controlled life and death, thinking reaching the Dharma manifestation stage is enough without regrets. But since following you, I've realized I can go further and glimpse higher vistas, something I never dared to imagine before." Wang Fulong looked reminiscent.

"You are also aiming for Mahayana attainment?" Yuan Ming understood immediately.

"Yes. To be honest, your rise has given me this unrealistic aspiration. I've felt it deeply within the Wentian Secret Realm; opportunities are abundant. I think perhaps if I'm willing to search, someday, I might find a chance to advance further here." Wang Fulong said.

"But have you considered the price of such a choice? Staying in the Wentian Secret Realm, you'll be walking alone, without aid, without elixirs, not even a safe resting place. Wanting Mahayana attainment is fine, but you should consider reality. Besides, even if you return to the Chuyun Realm, I can still help you." Yuan Ming shook his head and advised.

"People know their own situations. With my aptitude, outside the Wentian Secret Realm, breaking through is impossible. Even if you wish to help, your resources are limited, and you must counter the Demon Clan's threat. I can't burden you further. Moreover, I once intended to harm you. The more benefits I receive, the more uneasy I feel." Wang Fulong shook his head and sincerely spoke.

Yuan Ming stared at him, seeing no hesitation or retreat in his expression. He sighed, "Since you've made your decision, I won't stop you. Take these elixirs as payment for managing the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range for me all these years."

Wang Fulong accepted the elixirs from Yuan Ming's hand without hesitation and bowed deeply once more.

"Additionally, I have intelligence about the Three Realms Sect's heritage, but time is short. I can't search for it myself, so I'll entrust it to you. If there are any results, just pray to me, and I shall hear you." Yuan Ming said, pointing and transferring the Gongshu Lingren heritage intelligence to Wang Fulong's mind.

Afterward, Yuan Ming parted ways with Wang Fulong, speeding away to the place where he previously encountered the Level 7 Ice Silkworm.

When he first arrived, he was almost killed by the beast. Now, with greatly increased power, he naturally wanted to reclaim his place.

However, perhaps sensing danger in advance, Yuan Ming searched thoroughly but found no trace of the ice silkworm.

Due to time constraints, he abandoned the idea of expanding the search range and regretfully left with the Shura Palace.

...

Evergreen Island underground.

As several rays of light emerged from the black hole, Sima Changqin and Swordsman Qing Ping, among others, landed on the stone platform one after another.

Almost everyone bore injuries, indicating significant exhaustion. However, judging from their expressions, they made gains, though no one took the opportunity to achieve the Mahayana stage, which was quite regrettable.

Nevertheless, Daoist Mu and Ancestor Bing Lan on the pillar beside the platform paid them no heed, only fixating on the black hole, seemingly awaiting something.

Sima Changqin initially wanted to approach the ancestor to pay respects but seeing this situation, had to lead his subordinates to retreat to the side.

"Why haven't the people from Bright Moon Palace joined us?" Swordsman Qing Ping furrowed his brows, still worried about Xizhuang Yuan's whereabouts.

"Perhaps something delayed them." Sima Changqin shook his head, his gaze sweeping the area, apparently concerned about the others' whereabouts.

Swordsman Qing Ping naturally knew whom he was concerned about, as his junior brother at that moment also looked anxiously toward the black hole above the platform.

Soon, Hua Xian led the Evergreen Island group from the black hole, saluted Daoist Mu, then moved to the side, scanning around. Not seeing Yuan Ming, her expression slightly tensed, and she too gazed at the black hole.

Subsequently, Puppet Immortal also emerged from the black hole, surprised to find a crowd staring at him.

But soon, the crowd shifted their gaze, and he not understanding the situation, stepped off the platform, joining them to gaze at the black hole.

Moments later, the black hole above the platform suddenly twisted, as if being pulled, elongating into an oval before stretching into a long strip.

As the black hole seemed about to collapse, a surge of space power abruptly appeared, swiftly calming the changes, restoring it to its original form.

Immediately, a stream of light "whoosh" shot out of the black hole, landing on the stone platform, revealing a palm-sized palace spiritual treasure.

Under everyone's gaze, the palace spiritual treasure trembled slightly, and several tunneling lights appeared from within—Yuan Ming and others.

As soon as he appeared, Sima Changqin and the others felt a mighty force pressing on them, almost drawing out their Mana, causing their hearts to tremble.

This feeling was more than familiar to the guardians; it couldn't be mistaken for anything other than the Mahayana cultivators' innate Spiritual Domain power.

Sima Changqin immediately gave a bitter smile, while Swordsman Qing Ping's eyes were filled with awe. Young Master Que Yue rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and then his gaze was left only with shock and fear.

Nangong Xian'er also had a curious light in her eyes, staring at Yuan Ming for a long time before suddenly glancing at Xi Ying, her gaze showing a trace of gloom.

Among the group, only Puppet Immortal didn't feel deeply touched, merely amazed at Yuan Ming's talent, with a hint of yearning in his expression.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, you have finally returned, we have been waiting eagerly." Ancestor Bing Lan descended from the Stone Pillar and came to Yuan Ming, offering a slight bow.

"I was delayed briefly due to some matters on the way, I hope Elder Bing Lan can forgive me." Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"No worries, no worries. Earlier, you sent a message to Fellow Daoist Mu about the Demon Clan's matters. I wonder..." Ancestor Bing Lan inquired.

"Bing Lan, Yuan Ming has just returned, let him rest a bit, there's no need to be so hasty." Daoist Mu also descended, waving a hand at Ancestor Bing Lan.

"No need, I should also discuss this matter thoroughly with the two seniors, but there is another matter before that." As Yuan Ming spoke, he waved his hand, and three spirit lights flew out from Shura Palace, exactly those who were still unconscious, Xizhuang Yuan and his companions.

Looking at the three lying on the ground, everyone present was slightly startled, their expressions varied.

"They encountered danger and I happened to rescue them. I would trouble Fairy Nangong to take them to rest and heal, to avoid harming their foundations." Yuan Ming said with a smile.

Nangong Xian'er was momentarily stunned, instinctively turning to look at Daoist Mu, only to see him nodding to her as well.

"I am aware of this matter too. Xian'er, take them down, I will personally send a clone to escort them back to Bright Moon Palace later." Daoist Mu said.

"Then thank you, Senior Mu." Yuan Ming bowed in gratitude.

"I will also send a clone to accompany them, Fellow Daoist Yuan, you need not worry." Ancestor Bing Lan added.

The total loss of Xizhuang Yuan's party in the Wentian Secret Realm is not easy news for Bright Moon Palace to accept.

Daoist Mu and Daoist Mu's companion also didn't know what happened to them, but it should be related to Yuan Ming, and compared to Xizhuang Yuan's party, the current Yuan Ming is more worth wooing.

Therefore, they both expressed their opinions in turn, which set the course for Xizhuang Yuan's party's encounter in the Wentian Secret Realm.

Yuan Ming also smiled and nodded to Daoist Mu and his companion, accepting the goodwill from the two Mahayana cultivators.

He then recounted the events that transpired in the Wentian Secret Realm to Daoist Mu and the others.

Of course, he omitted the parts involving Xia Jie and the Bright Moon Goddess, only stating that he had a fortunate breakthrough to Mahayana due to some encounter.

After listening, Ancestor Bing Lan let out a long breath, looking somewhat scared: "It's fortunate you discovered the Demon Clan's conspiracy this time, otherwise the Chuyun Realm would have suffered."

"Indeed, and having lost the Three Realms Immortal Boat, the Demon Clan's offensive will surely be affected, relieving much of our pressure." Daoist Mu smiled.

"The three Demon Emperors of the Demon Clan are still active, their ambitions are not so easily extinguished, we must still be cautious and prepare for battle." Yuan Ming reminded insistently.

"That's true, Chang Qin, you heard it. After returning, accelerate the assimilation of your gains from this time, and strive to emulate Fellow Daoist Yuan in breaking through to Mahayana in the short term." Ancestor Bing Lan turned to say.

Sima Changqin couldn't help but smile bitterly. If breaking through to Mahayana were that easy, he wouldn't have stopped at the Peak of Dharma for so many years.

Even with the fortuitous encounters from the Wentian Secret Realm, he did not have absolute confidence in taking that step to achieve Mahayana.

But what he thought in his heart was one thing, outwardly, he still nodded in agreement, not daring the slightest complaint.

"I obtained a supreme cultivation technique from the Demon Clan, and I need to go into seclusion for some time. If I successfully cultivate it, it might end the Demon World's invasion once and for all. As for what happens afterward, I must rely on the efforts of the seniors. Additionally, this Spiritual Treasure of mine now surpasses the power of the Three Realms Immortal Boat. I have no use for it temporarily; the few of you can take it and see if it can be used to suppress the Returning Ruins, further curbing the Demon Clan's offensive." Yuan Ming said, making a gesture to present Shura Palace to Daoist Mu and the others.

"Where are you planning to seclude yourself afterward?" Daoist Mu nodded, suddenly asking.

"Naturally, returning to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range." Yuan Ming replied.

"Although the Spirit Veins there are good, they are still insufficient for you now. Stay at Evergreen Island; I will later move my main body to the Returning Ruins, and it won't interfere with you." Daoist Mu suggested.

"This... very well, since Senior Mu values me so much, I cannot decline such goodwill." Yuan Ming agreed.

"Later, I'll take you to my usual seclusion cave, where I've set up a Great Array to slow time. One day outside is a year inside, it should allow you much time for cultivation." Daoist Mu added.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming's expression changed, not help but recall his experience in the Time Cave on Three Immortals Island years ago.

"Have you heard of the Yunhuang Continent, senior?" Yuan Ming asked directly.