Perfect World: Dream of the Immortal Era

Gu Wu Di was lost in deep contemplation.

He was on the verge of reaching the Dao Seed realm—how should he achieve earth-shattering accomplishments?

According to the progression of the Dao Seed System, reaching the Dao Seed realm meant determining one’s future path, as the Dao Seed that coexisted with cultivators was about to sprout, to hatch, signifying the formal setting sail on the path of Dao, a momentous occasion indeed.

If he followed the Great Dao represented by the Heavenly Firmament Seed as his future cultivation direction, cultivating three strands of Immortal Qi would not be difficult; his strength would be formidable, traversing the ancient world, becoming a leader among the ranks.

However, Gu Wu Di knew that the upper limit of this path was not high; becoming a True Immortal was easy, but becoming an Immortal King required a certain degree of opportunity and luck—hopes weren't great. Becoming the strongest among the Immortal Kings was an impossibility.

Although this was just one of his essence, energy, and spirit bodies, Gu Wu Di hoped each could walk a magnificently imposing path. Thus, when the three bodies united, the achievement would be unimaginable.

Therefore, he pondered deeply, considering the impending choice.

“The Dao Seed System permits the fusion of only one seed in a lifetime. If a cultivator fuses other ancient seeds, their path will collapse.

Currently, I am bound to the Great Dao extended by the Heavenly Firmament Seed; how can I break free and achieve unparalleled brilliance?” Gu Wu Di muttered to himself, somewhat troubled.

The Dao Seed System had existed for countless eras, creating one powerful Immortal King after another. Yet, certain iron rules of this system had never been broken, so the difficulty was evident.

Qing Yue stood quietly aside, not interrupting. She knew this was an immensely difficult decision; even she hadn’t figured out how to traverse her future path of the Dao Seed realm.

The passage of time, era after era—there were countless individuals with extraordinary talent and genius. Who could claim that no one had ever thought of breaking through system constraints to create a new path? The harsh reality was, the Dao Seed System still stood, like an immortal monument in the thirty-three heavens of the ancient original realm, guiding living beings towards the pursuit of the Great Dao.

Suddenly, Gu Wu Di asked, “How much can we trust what Pang Ren says?”

Qing Yue’s expression was solemn. She pondered and replied, “This person was able to pass three trials in the valley's formation array and not much slower than heirs from major powers. He must be quite formidable.

However, his background is unclear, and he immediately mentioned the Immortal King ruins, which makes it difficult to fully believe him. Yet, I think he is 70% trustworthy.”

Speaking thus, she took out three tortoise shells, chanted under her breath, lifted them in both hands, and tossed them upwards.

"Clatter!"

The tortoise shells fell heavily, scattering randomly on the ground.

Gu Wu Di frowned slightly, unable to see any significance, as he had not learned this skill.

Qing Yue, after a few moments of staring, smiled.

“An excellent fortune, predicting that we will reap significant rewards from this journey.”

Gu Wu Di was skeptical.

“Did you learn this turtle shell divination from your master?”

“Of course.”

“Then who is your master? Could he be some reclusive true immortal or an immortal king?” Gu Wu Di asked with curiosity.

If it were not for such a powerful figure, how could someone know the mysteries of the Blue Moon Flame's burial site?

Upon hearing this, Qing Yue walked a few steps forward, her azure locks fluttering. She left Gu Wu Di with only her back view. Her figure was truly slender, dressed in flowing cyan garments, with her snow-white calves visible, imparting a sense of sacred liveliness.

“I don’t know the origins of my elder either. I once asked out of curiosity, but my master just smiled without speaking, calling himself a crumbling relic, soon to be buried, so it’s better not to speak of it.

However, the divination technique he taught me has always been accurate, often providing me with the right insights,” Qing Yue replied.

“Well then, it seems your esteemed master is likely a peerless figure, withdrawn from the world for some reason,” Gu Wu Di sighed.

Throughout the ages, the river of time has surged forward, countless powerhouses have competed for glory, all now reduced to mere stories, hard to tell how many there truly were.

There is a saying, 'The unicorn hides in the wilderness,' indicating that within ordinary mountains and fields, there may be hidden supreme beings who once shook the heavens. Qing Yue’s master might be such a person.

At this moment, Qing Yue’s expression suddenly changed, as if she remembered something.

“Oh no, before I set off, my master told me many things. I even joked whether he was giving his last words. Thinking about it now, with his health dwindling like the setting sun, perhaps he really was making arrangements for the end.

After this trip to the Immortal King’s ruins, I must return and take a look.”

Seeing her serious expression, Gu Wu Di immediately comforted, “Don’t worry, the virtuous naturally have divine protection. If you are truly worried, why not use your turtle shell divination to see?”

On hearing this, Qing Yue acted at once. With the fall of the three turtle shells, she looked disappointed.

“It’s no use. The hexagram shows nothingness; the secrets of heaven are concealed. My skills are shallow, and I cannot interpret it.”

“Should we set out immediately?” Gu Wu Di asked.

Qing Yue shook her head. Though she was greatly concerned about her master, she did not let herself become disordered.

“Concern breeds chaos. My master’s skills far surpass mine, he can naturally avoid misfortune and seek fortune. Rushing back in a panic would not help. Before I set out, my master told me not to engage in futile efforts.

So, let’s wait until this trip to the Immortal King’s ruins concludes, then decide.”

Gu Wu Di, seeing her determination, refrained from further persuasion, acknowledging that this woman was both calm and rational. Were it anyone else, they might have turned back in a moment of heated emotion.

In the days that followed, the two occasionally split up, searching for the location described by the owner of the mirrored treasure, while other times they journeyed side by side, confronting the dangers around them together.

This was, after all, the borderland adjacent to a foreign realm, where a terrifying boundary war had once erupted, claiming the lives of countless unparalleled experts. Even after countless eons, it remained unsettled.

Finally, after an arduous search, they successfully found the entrance to the Immortal King’s ruins, as described by the ancient mirror owner, a being in the Dao Origin realm named Pang Ren.

It was a highly concealed mountain pass.

Two towering peaks soared among a sea of mountains and valleys, lush with greenery, shrouded in mist, resembling a terrestrial paradise. There were also suspended springs and waterfalls, the calls of birds and beasts reverberating in the lively scene.

Beneath these giant peaks, between them, lay a rather narrow passage. On either side of this passage stood a massive statue, each bearing an archaic design, dressed in ancient attire not belonging to this era. Their expressions were extraordinarily solemn, each in a peculiar hand gesture, as if sealing some supreme incantation, while their bodies were covered with the marks of age, entangled with countless green vines.

In short, these two statues were extremely ancient, at least not from this era.

They stood silently on either side of the passage, seemingly guarding something.

"This is it," Gu Wu Di exhaled deeply, feeling relieved. According to Pang Ren, this was indeed the entrance to the Immortal King’s ruins.

Finding such a concealed spot in the vast border region was like searching for a needle in a haystack, truly difficult.

Fortunately, with the crucial information left by Pang Ren and the divination from Qing Yue's turtle shell prediction, they were given a rough direction.

Qing Yue gazed at the ancient design on the statues, a soft "Hmm" escaping her lips, her beautiful eyes blinking with a hint of surprise.

"What is it?"

"The style of these garments... If I'm not mistaken, they belong to the fashion from seven epochs ago."

Gu Wu Di remained silent, the notion that Qing Yue's master was a reclusive grandmaster solidified in his mind. How else could Qing Yue know so much?

"Seven epochs... truly ancient," he marveled.

Meanwhile, he reflected internally, realizing that as a son of the Immortal King, he was less informed than Qing Yue, a result of not adequately studying history.

"Seven epochs, how extraordinarily distant. The configuration of the ancient realm's thirty-three heavens back then was entirely different. With the vicissitudes of time and the erosion of years, many once-glorious figures and objects have already been drowned in the river of history, unknown to later generations."

Gu Wu Di nodded, contemplating Qing Yue’s future master, the Lord of the Forbidden Zone.

Once a peerless Immortal King, whose mighty name shook the world, he journeyed across the seas and, upon returning, entered a meditative death, leaving only an undying obsession through ages.

Throughout history, many such immortal kings have emerged.

As the two were deep in thought, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the air.

From the void, a young man appeared, holding an ancient mirror and smiling as he walked out.

“Greetings, fellow Taoists. I trust you have been well.”

“Pang, I trust you have been well,” Gu Wu Di and Qing Yue responded in unison.

“Ha ha, the two of you have indeed exceeded my expectations. To have found this place with only a few hints is truly impressive. It seems you truly have a connection with these ruins.” Pang Ren laughed heartily as he praised them.

Gu Wu Di modestly replied, “It was pure luck.” Then he got straight to the point.

“As agreed, Pang, since we've found this place, you must reveal everything without withholding any details.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Ren's expression turned serious. He cupped his fists and said, “Of course, I'm not one to go back on my word.”

His gaze then shifted to the two towering ancient statues, and he began to recount the origin of the Immortal King's ruins.

“Ten epochs ago, in the Great Red Heaven of the Thirty-Three Heavens, an exceptional being was born, merging with the famed Fire of Ten Thousand Tribulations. Embarking on the path of cultivation, he eventually attained enlightenment and became known as the King of Ten Thousand Tribulations, renowned throughout the Primal Ancient Realm.

However, after only three epochs, this King of Ten Thousand Tribulations disappeared without a trace. Some say he walked the mysterious path that many immortal kings tread, journeying to an unimaginably vast realm. Others claim he went to the forbidden zone of the Immortal Domain, subdued by the taboo beings there. Still, others believe he saw through the worldly affairs and retired in seclusion.

There were many speculations but no definitive conclusion until several epochs ago when news of his demise spread from the mouth of an immortal king, finally putting an end to the speculation.

However, the cause of his demise remains unknown, and his final resting place became a mystery, fading into oblivion and eventually forgotten.”

Gu Wu Di and Qing Yue exchanged glances and simultaneously asked, “Pang, are you suggesting that this Immortal King’s ruin belongs to the King of Ten Thousand Tribulations who rose ten epochs ago?”

Pang Ren nodded.

“Indeed, it is the very King of Ten Thousand Tribulations whose demise remains a mystery.”

Gu Wu Di and Qing Yue's senses were unparalleled among their peers, few could compare. They could discern that Pang Ren was not lying; if he harbored any ill intentions, they would surely perceive it.

“The King of Ten Thousand Tribulations... a relic left by an immortal king. Pang, why do you believe we can assist you in exploring it? Even a true immortal would tread carefully here, no?” Qing Yue's eyes shone with intelligence and mischief, as though set with sparkling gems.

Pang Ren did not hide the truth and directly explained his reasoning.

"Hehe, I'm just a minor figure in the Dao Beginning realm. How dare I collaborate with a true Immortal Supreme? That's like negotiating with a tiger—we all know how that ends. They might very well silence me permanently after the fact."

"Therefore, I would rather let the Immortal King's ruins remain forever buried than seek help from beings far stronger than myself."

"Moreover, these ruins cannot be explored by anyone less than a peerless figure. Even true Immortals and Supremes have no hope of penetrating its depths."

"Oh? And why do you say that?" Gu Wu Di asked.

Pang Ren explained, "Years ago, I stumbled upon these Immortal King ruins by accident, driven by curiosity to boldly venture inside."

"But I didn't get far before meeting disaster. Were it not for a substitute talisman on me taking the hit, I likely would have been reduced to ashes."

"Thrown back out, I realized that to proceed through the initial passageway into the depths of the ruins, extraordinary innate potential is required. I suffered because my talent wasn't strong enough."

"So after witnessing your strength in the valley sealing Qing Yue's flame, I was inspired to extend an invitation."

"You think I have the talent to make it through? I don't possess any substitute talisman. If I fail, I'd be obliterated," Gu Wu Di said nonchalantly.

"Gu Daoist, you are too modest. On the path to the Qing Yue's flame sealing grounds, I witnessed you defeating a disciple of the Supreme Palace with my own eyes."

"That sect was founded by a giant, and its disciples are comparable to the offspring of an Immortal King. Almost every generation's disciple ranks among the top three prodigies of the Ancient Realm. If you can't pass, who else in this primordial ancient world could?"

"Fine, let's assume I can pass. What then? What lies ahead is a complete unknown. You invited me to explore, so surely you are not doing this out of charity. What is it that you desire?" To avoid any future discord, Gu Wu Di felt it best to lay bare the unpleasant truths upfront.

Pang Ren wasn't surprised. He bowed slightly and said, "I ask for little. I simply hope to acquire some of the treasures and cultivation resources left by the King of Ten Thousand Tribulations."

"The ruins are filled with trials, clearly designed to choose an inheritor. The inheritance of an Immortal King is incredibly astonishing, as the two of you surely know."

"I lack the fortune for such an opportunity, but acquiring a portion of the cultivation resources shouldn't be too much to ask, should it? Leaving aside the laws of this Immortal King, if we divide the cultivation resources and treasures into ten parts, I would take four parts, and the two of you would receive both the Immortal King's inheritance and the remaining six parts. How does that sound?"

Gu Wu Di and Qing Yue exchanged a look, both agreeing the distribution was reasonable, so there was no haggling over it.

"Pfft..."

Qing Yue laughed elegantly, like a celestial blossom in full bloom, breathtakingly beautiful.

"We haven't even started exploring and we're already discussing distribution, as if success is guaranteed. Let us not forget, this is an Immortal King's ruin we're dealing with, while we are merely novice cultivators just starting on the path of cultivation."

"Still, confirming the distribution ratio in advance is very necessary; it can prevent many troubles."