Chapter 226: The Great Sage's Shock

Chapter 226: The Great Sage’s Shock

October 9, 2024

"Father, I have returned!"

In the main hall of the Gu family estate, Gu Xiu respectfully bowed to Gu Qingfeng.

In front of his father, he always felt an instinctive fear, preventing him from acting rashly.

Gu Xiu believed this was simply his father’s natural bloodline suppression over his son.

"Welcome back. You’ve reached the Mid-Stage Bone Washing Realm. It seems you’ve had your own share of fortune during this time."

Gu Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction, acting as if he had just learned of his son's breakthrough.

Then, Gu Qingfeng appraised Gu Xiu, his gaze flickering to the black ring on his left hand, causing a slight furrow in his brow before quickly smoothing out.

At this moment, Gu Xiu said, "I plan to venture out for a while. It might take a long time before I return, so I came back this time to bid farewell to Father."

"Flowers grown in a hothouse must eventually face the storm. You’ve made significant progress in your cultivation in a short time away from home, which shows that staying at home isn’t always beneficial for your training. However, your mother has missed you a lot. Since you’re back, spend a couple of days with her before you leave."

Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, about to dismiss him, but then he remembered something and casually tossed a jade box over.

"Inside is something I’ve prepared for you. If you encounter danger, channel your life force into it to subdue your enemies."

"Thank you, Father!"

Gu Xiu looked at the jade box in his hand with confusion but took it with him.

"Remnant soul of a powerful being..."

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes turned deep. He had sensed a faint yet terrifying aura on Gu Xiu, likely the remnant soul mentioned in the information panel.

As for the level of this remnant soul, Gu Qingfeng was still uncertain.

The last time he learned about the purple-robed middle-aged man’s cultivation level, it was from the memories of a fierce beast. Now, he only saw the treasure housing the remnant soul without truly encountering the soul itself. Whether the information panel would reveal more details was uncertain.

However, the remnant soul’s cultivation level was undoubtedly formidable.

After all, it was well-hidden. If not for Gu Qingfeng’s recent advancement to the Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace and his greatly enhanced divine sense, he would not have detected it.

But since Gu Xiu didn’t mention it, Gu Qingfeng didn’t deliberately expose the secret.

Regarding Gu Xiu’s plan to venture out for a while, Gu Qingfeng suspected he might leave the Nine Provinces.

However, he did not stop him.

---

Night fell.

In his bedroom, Gu Xiu opened the jade box left by Gu Qingfeng. His pupils dilated in shock as he saw a severed finger lying quietly inside.

The wound on the finger was fresh, the blood still flowing as if it had been recently severed.

More importantly, the finger emitted a powerful aura, its terrifying might causing Gu Xiu’s breathing to slow.

"This is what your father left for you. This severed finger is extraordinary and can even suppress a typical Dao Palace cultivator directly!"

At this moment, the Great Sage’s voice echoed slowly.

Hearing this, Gu Xiu’s face changed. "Senior, you mean this finger can suppress a Dao Palace cultivator?"

What was the Dao Palace Realm!

Gu Xiu was well aware.

According to the Great Sage, in the current age of decline, the Dao Palace Realm was roughly the pinnacle of strength in the Ancient World.

Any Dao Palace cultivator held a significant position in the Ancient World.

Moreover, they were above the Divine Transformation Realm.

Although Gu Xiu had never truly seen a Dao Palace cultivator, from the Great Sage’s words, he understood the terrifying power of this realm.

Yet, such a powerful being could be directly suppressed by the finger before him.

This discovery left Gu Xiu stunned.

At this moment, the Great Sage’s voice grew serious, even tinged with shock.

"Your father is not an ordinary man. If I’m not mistaken, he has already discovered my existence. According to your previous account, your father was just a Divine Transformation cultivator. But now, it seems he is far more than that. Even a typical Dao Palace cultivator would likely be easily subdued by him!"

"This man’s cultivation isn’t extremely strong, but his divine sense is incredibly powerful, and his life force is astonishingly robust."

"If I’m not wrong, when the great struggle arrives, your father will likely achieve sainthood in an instant. Even advancing to the Great Sage Realm will only be a matter of time!"

The Great Sage was genuinely shocked.

In his time, the Great Sage had seen countless prodigies and geniuses.

Some could reverse the tide and slay a Dao Palace cultivator at the Divine Transformation Realm, while others, as half-saints, could rival true saints.

However, someone like Gu Qingfeng was a first for the Great Sage.

With the Great Sage’s cultivation and insight, he could see that Gu Qingfeng was currently at the Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace.

But the overwhelming life force and divine soul made the Great Sage almost believe he was facing a half-saint.

Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace!

On par with a half-saint!

It could only be described as heaven-defying.

If the other party truly reaches the Ninth Level of the Dao Palace Realm, or even the Semi-Saint Realm, it will be a breeze to challenge the Sages.

Emperor Huang's words left Gu Xi standing in place.

He asked, somewhat disbelieving, "Senior, is my father truly that strong?"

"Very strong!"

Emperor Huang affirmed.

"With your father's current strength, he would be among the true top-tier in the Primal World. If no Sage were to emerge, the number of experts who could match him would be few indeed.

I originally thought your talent was already exceptional, but now, seeing your father, I understand that a tiger does not sire a dog.

Your future achievements will undoubtedly be significant, but even I cannot easily predict the extent of your father's accomplishments!"

Emperor Huang sighed.

With only one or two thousand years until the Great Strife Era, given his current cultivation, your father will be more than ready when the era arrives.

In that era, he will surely shine brightly.

However, Emperor Huang also felt a sense of relief.

With only a remnant soul left, if he could build a good relationship with the descendant of such a powerful figure, it would make his future efforts to reconstruct his physical body much easier.

As Emperor Huang pondered, Gu Xi's mind was still reeling from his words, unable to fully process what he had heard.

It was impossible not to be shocked when one discovered that their father had reached the pinnacle of the current world's strength.

All along, Gu Xi had believed that Gu Qingfeng's peak was the Divine Transformation Realm.

The Nine Provinces had declined. According to Emperor Huang, it was already difficult to reach the Divine Transformation Realm in such an environment, let alone the Dao Palace Realm.

But it turned out that his father not only reached the Dao Palace Realm but was also a top-tier existence, possibly on par with a Semi-Saint.

Then, Gu Xi looked at the broken finger in the jade box, his expression slightly stunned.

"So, this broken finger is also from my father?"

"Divine Transformation Realm cultivators can regenerate severed limbs, and many prodigies of the Primal World have protective treasures. However, the remains of such powerful figures are quite rare.

After all, the higher a cultivator's cultivation, the more vital their physical body becomes. Even if they can regenerate limbs, the newly grown parts cannot match the original in quality.

Take this broken finger, for instance. To refine a newly grown finger to its peak condition would take a considerable amount of time."

"Time is extremely valuable to powerful figures, so they would not easily damage their bodies unless absolutely necessary."

Emperor Huang's words made Gu Xi understand, and he felt a deep sense of gratitude.

His father, though strict, truly cared for him. Knowing that he was leaving, his father had left him this broken finger for protection.

However, even with the knowledge that Gu Qingfeng was a top-tier powerhouse in the current era of declining laws, Gu Xi still wanted to leave the Nine Provinces and venture into the Five Domains.

According to Emperor Huang, the Nine Provinces were sparse in spiritual energy. If he stayed here for long, his cultivation would not compare to that in the outside world.

While he didn't know how Gu Qingfeng had achieved such heights in the Nine Provinces, Gu Xi understood that he lacked the qualifications to compare himself to his father.

Moreover, his father was a powerhouse on par with a Semi-Saint, while he, the son, had yet to complete the Fifth Level of Body Refinement. It would be embarrassing to admit.

So, Gu Xi stayed at the Gu Family Manor for two days. Finally, with Xu Yulan's tearful gaze and heartfelt wishes, he set off on his journey to the Five Domains.

...

"Report to the Venerable, the Third Young Master has left the capital and is heading directly toward the Ancient Beast Mountains!"

Half a day later, Hong Ye reported.

Gu Qingfeng nodded. "You don't need to follow Xi's movements anymore. Keep a close eye on anyone else coming out of the Ancient Beast Mountains."

"Yes!"

Hong Ye bowed and left.

Looking at the grand hall, Gu Qingfeng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.

"Children grow up so quickly!"

Then, he glanced at the information panel.

...

"Your offspring 'Gu Xi' has received guidance from a Ninth Level Great Sage remnant soul, slightly improving his strength!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Xi' was attacked by ferocious beasts 69 times!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Xi' slew a Second Level Ferocious Beast in the Visceral Refinement Stage!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Xuan' was attacked by ferocious beasts 367 times!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Xuan' received guidance from a Ninth Level Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, slightly improving his strength!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Xuan' accidentally consumed a heavenly treasure, slightly improving his cultivation!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Yang' gained some insight into a Divine Transformation Realm cultivation technique, slightly improving his strength!"

"Your offspring 'Gu Shengnan'..."

...

"Ninth Level Great Sage!"

When Gu Qingfeng saw the first line of information, his eyes instinctively narrowed, as if he had encountered something unbelievable.

He knew that the remnant soul within Gu Xi was no ordinary being, having nearly escaped his divine sense. Naturally, it was no small matter.

But what Gu Qingfeng never expected was that the remnant soul within Gu Xi was a Ninth Level Great Sage.

Above the Sages.

The Great Sage!

In the information left by Murong Xiu, the Sage was already a terrifying existence capable of founding an eternal holy land. However, the power of a Great Sage, who stands above even the Sages, was unimaginably formidable.

"A fragment of a Great Sage’s soul!"

"Xiu has such an opportunity; his future achievements will likely be significant—"

Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. Compared to the opportunity Gu Xiu had, Gu Xuan’s seemed somewhat lacking. After all, Gu Xuan only had a Ninth Rank Divine Transformation Realm cultivator by his side.

Of course, a Ninth Rank Divine Transformation Realm cultivator was still quite powerful. But compared to a Ninth Rank Great Sage, it was nothing.

Even if that Ninth Rank Great Sage was just a fragment of a soul, it was far beyond what a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator could match.

Moreover, the presence of a top-tier Great Sage’s soul fragment in the Nine Provinces was intriguing.

Gu Qingfeng was curious whether this Great Sage was a native of the Nine Provinces or an outsider. If it was an outsider, how did they end up falling in the Nine Provinces?

But after considering the information he had gathered, Gu Qingfeng suppressed his thoughts. The Nine Provinces held many secrets.

...

"Your descendant ‘Gu Yang’ learned of outsiders disrupting the Nine Provinces and was enraged. He immediately dispatched powerful cultivators to suppress them!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Yang’ increased the defense of the Nine Provinces’ borders to stabilize the people’s hearts!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Yang’ vigorously developed the Divine Martial Academy to enhance the Divine Martial Dynasty’s foundation!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xuan’ accidentally obtained a rare treasure, and his aptitude improved after consuming it!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xuan’ deepened his understanding of the Heavenly Saber technique during a life-and-death battle, and his grasp of the Heavenly Saber’s true essence reached the Sixth Level!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by a Divine Transformation Realm beast and killed it with a severed finger!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ discovered a mature spirit herb at the site of the Divine Transformation Realm beast’s death!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ consumed the spirit herb, significantly boosting his cultivation!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ advanced to the later stages of the Bone Washing Realm!"

"Reward Points 50!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ advanced to the peak of the Bone Washing Realm!"

"Reward Points 50!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by beasts 1369!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ entered the Eastern Domain!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by cultivators 2369!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by Master Realm cultivators 19!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by Grandmaster Realm cultivators 6!"

"Your descendant ‘Gu Xiu’ was attacked by a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator and defeated them with the severed finger!"

"Your descendant…."

...

While Gu Qingfeng was in seclusion, he would occasionally check the information panel to keep track of his descendants’ activities.

At first, the messages on the information panel were relatively normal. However, after Gu Xiu entered the Eastern Domain, it was as if he had disturbed a nest of some powerful faction. He was frequently attacked by numerous cultivators, including Master Realm, Grandmaster Realm, and even Divine Transformation Realm cultivators.

From the over two thousand attack records, Gu Qingfeng understood the dire situation Gu Xiu was in.

"Anyone who dares to harm my son, I will find you and settle the score!"

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes turned cold. Although Gu Xiu had been attacked many times, he had not been seriously injured. The only Divine Transformation Realm cultivator who attacked him was killed by the severed finger Gu Qingfeng had left behind.

But seeing his son being bullied, Gu Qingfeng could not help but feel angry. If it weren’t for the Ancient Beast Mountains separating the Eastern Domain, he would have gone there himself.

However, with the top-tier Great Sage’s soul fragment and the safety measures Gu Qingfeng had left, Gu Xiu should be fine. This way, Gu Qingfeng could remain calm.

The trials Gu Xiu faced would also be beneficial. As for settling the score, there would be opportunities in the future.

During this time, more and more cultivators from the Ancient Beast Mountains were emerging and entering the Nine Provinces, causing significant turmoil. To these outsiders, the Nine Provinces’ cultivators were weak, and they could freely cause chaos and slaughter. Some even killed tens of thousands of civilians to refine a powerful artifact.

The Divine Martial Dynasty was naturally outraged. Gu Yang immediately dispatched Gu Wu and the others to suppress all the troublemakers.

The presence of four Ninth Rank Divine Transformation Realm cultivators finally subdued the outsiders’ arrogance. No one had expected the Nine Provinces to have such powerful protectors.

With such strength, other cultivators were hesitant to conflict with the imperial court.

This brought some peace to the Nine Provinces. However, the presence of these cultivators was still a hidden danger.

Gu Qingfeng was aware of these issues, but for now, Gu Yang seemed capable of maintaining stability, so he did not intervene.

...

One day, a strange phenomenon occurred.

A terrifying celestial event appeared over Qingyun Province, as if a supreme being stood in the sky, with divine light piercing the heavens, turning the night as bright as day.

This terrifying celestial phenomenon spread far and wide, visible to the people of an entire region.

Inside the Gu Family Manor.

Gu Qingfeng was also startled by this phenomenon.

He gazed into the void ahead, where a towering figure stood in the sky, emitting a terrifying aura that sent ripples through Gu Qingfeng’s heart.

"Dao Palace Realm!"

"No... At least a Half-Saint, or perhaps even a true Sage!"

Gu Qingfeng's expression turned solemn.

The aura of this figure was particularly fearsome, indicating the level of power he possessed in life.

According to the memories left by Murong Xiu, whenever a secret realm inheritance appeared, it was always accompanied by celestial phenomena.

Now, this celestial phenomenon matched the information left by Murong Xiu.

Not only Murong Xiu’s memories, but also the memories of Han An and the old man Ke contained similar information.

In essence, after obtaining the information left by Murong Xiu and extracting the memories of the two people from the Guiyuan Dynasty, Gu Qingfeng, even if he stayed in the Nine Provinces, was fully aware of the outside world.

Immediately, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the air, his body hovering in the void. As he focused his gaze on the phenomenon, he finally determined its direction clearly.

"Outside Tianxiong Pass!"

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes flickered.

In his line of sight, numerous cultivators were already heading toward Tianxiong Pass.

These cultivators included both local cultivators from the Nine Provinces and those from the outside world.

Clearly, the celestial phenomenon outside Tianxiong Pass had caused a significant stir.

In the next moment, Gu Qingfeng stepped into the imperial palace to meet with Gu Yang.

"Father!"

Gu Yang, also startled by the celestial phenomenon, relaxed somewhat when he saw Gu Qingfeng arrive.

Gu Qingfeng said, "This celestial phenomenon is likely related to a secret realm inheritance. There is also an opportunity left by an ancient powerful being outside Tianxiong Pass. You can lead a team to Tianxiong Pass."

"I understand, Father!"

Upon hearing the words "secret realm inheritance," Gu Yang’s expression turned slightly excited.

He had reached his current level because of the opportunities he had encountered.

With the appearance of this celestial phenomenon, the power of the emerging opportunity was evident. Gu Yang would not miss such a chance.

Then, Gu Yang said, "With the emergence of this celestial phenomenon, Tianxiong Pass is likely to be affected. Please, Father, go to Tianxiong Pass first to stabilize the situation and prevent outside cultivators from causing harm to our people."

"Agreed."

Gu Qingfeng nodded and then flew away.

Seeing Gu Qingfeng leave, Gu Yang immediately mobilized the court’s powerful cultivators and led them toward Tianxiong Pass.

...

"Heavenly anomaly!"

"Great opportunities must be emerging!"

Fu He, who was in the Ancient Beast Mountains, was also startled by the celestial phenomenon. He immediately led Gu Xuan toward the source of the phenomenon.

Although Fu He had no particular interest in the Sage inheritance, it didn’t mean he was indifferent to opportunities.

After all, Fu He had reached the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm, which was almost his limit.

To break through the ninth level of the Divine Transformation Realm and truly reach the Dao Palace Realm, he needed a significant opportunity.

Now, with the emergence of this opportunity, the celestial phenomenon indicated that it involved at least the Dao Palace level, and possibly even higher. Fu He naturally didn’t want to miss it.

On the other side, a middle-aged cultivator stood in the air, his calm expression finally changing as he looked in the direction of the phenomenon. His eyes also turned intensely passionate.

"This aura is at least that of a Half-Sage, or possibly even a true Sage."

"In that case, even if we don’t find the Sage inheritance held by the ancient Shenyang Sacred Land, this opportunity will still make the journey worthwhile!"

Xi Yu’s heart was also somewhat excited.

As a Dao Palace Realm cultivator and a top elder of a sacred land, he was not immune to the allure of such opportunities.

Even a Half-Sage opportunity would be fiercely contested by many powerful cultivators.

Since entering the Ancient Beast Mountains, Xi Yu had not made much progress. Now, seeing such an opportunity emerge, how could he ignore it?

As Xi Yu headed toward the source of the celestial phenomenon, other powerful cultivators within the Ancient Beast Mountains did the same.

Once one entered the Ancient Beast Mountains, it was like being trapped in quicksand, making it difficult to find a true path out.

Therefore, when the celestial phenomenon appeared, it was like a lighthouse in the sea, a beacon in the darkness. All cultivators rushed toward the source of the phenomenon like moths to a flame.

From the aura of the phantom in the phenomenon, most cultivators understood that the emerging opportunity was far from ordinary.

In the face of such an opportunity, many cultivators even temporarily set aside their search for the Sage inheritance.

The Sage inheritance was uncertain and difficult to find, given the passage of thousands of years.

But the emergence of this opportunity was a concrete matter. The cultivators knew very well what was more important.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end