A Dream from Youth Fulfilled

The courtyard was quiet, the golden pine trees bathed in the morning glow, their needles glistening with life. A squirrel, clutching a pine cone, sat lazily atop the tree, basking in the sun.

Wang Xuan had spent more than two months in the Mysterious Sea, but it felt like only yesterday. There, the sky was always filled with stars, even at night. Now, the sun was shining brightly, and he was facing the rising sun, bathed in golden light, feeling warm all over.

Back then, he longed for the legendary Transcendent Immortals, traveling to the North Sea in the morning, spending the night on Mount Buzhou, and attending the Jade Pool Grand Gathering —how carefree and unrestrained that must have been!

He was born in the wrong era. By the time he had the ability to go there, the myths had fallen, the immortals had all passed away, and he was the only one left to stand quietly in places like the Jade Pool and the Guanghan Palace.

In the Supernatural Central Great World, there's no need to worry about such things. Top-tier lineages abound, representing one Extraterrestrial Civilization after another, with incredibly magnificent myths.

"Now, with a single step, I've traversed over twenty star systems, my true Physical Roaming to the Mysterious Sea, and now I'm heading to the Immortal Realm to attend another grand event. Life's circumstances are truly unpredictable," Wang Xuan to himself, somewhat moved.

Of course, even if he were to write a memoir later, he would never mention that he was lured away by a Silver Strange Fish and passively entered the Mysterious Sea.

On the golden pine tree, a squirrel that had been lying in the sun suddenly scrambled up, swishing its bushy tail in a very human-like manner, bowing to Wang Xuan and offering him pine cones.

This is the squirrel that Wang Xuan used to test the medicine on. It's much bolder than before, and it's even come out into the yard now. It's become quite ingratiating.

Wang Xuan waved to it, went outside the courtyard, and looked out over the entire mountain city.

"Haha, brother, Second King, you've finally emerged from seclusion." The wolverine walked out from the neighboring yard, three feathers perched on its head, creating layers of brilliant ripples, as if it had its own halo.

Just as the Young Lang Tian said, his father had been cultivating diligently recently and had achieved remarkable results. Three blurry, large men could be seen sitting cross-legged on his head.

Wang Xuan greeted him, looking at his head with a somewhat speechless expression. But the wolverine itself didn't seem to mind; it was intently studying its own path.

When do we depart?

"You and Luo Ying are the only ones who haven't come out of seclusion yet. I think it'll be soon; we might be leaving soon," the wolverine said.

Then, the two Great Kings of the Five Elements Mountain took a boy to see the elders of the Black Peacock Sacred Mountain.

On the towering mountain peak, clear springs gurgled, and hundreds of flowers bloomed. A magnificent silver palace was shrouded in azure clouds. The Super Peerless Elder Qingkong was reading incoming and outgoing letters and official reports, and couldn't help but smile, as if something pleased him.

Many people came to the hall, including Luo Ying who had emerged from seclusion, as well as Chong Xiao, a core disciple of the clan at the Heavenly level, and others, as well as Jin Ming, the Six-Eyed Golden Cicada Jin Ming from the Outer Mountain Faction, Heng Cheng, a descendant of the Extraordinary Person Ancestor Return form, and the Sword Immortal of the Long-beaked Silver Crane Clan.

Some of them fought against the Long-armed Divine Ape Clan half a year ago and were severely injured, but they have all recovered.

"Is there any good news for you, Elder?" Luo Ying asked. She had been in seclusion for 11 years, cultivating diligently and walking the path of the Dao-imperialized in the realm of True Immortal Perfection. Now she had finally achieved something and was going to enter the Immortal Realm with you.

Qingkong put down the secret letter and said, "It involves extraordinary people, so I can't say much to you. When your cultivation level is higher, you will be able to read this special official gazette."

However, she still mentioned one thing, laughing, "Some things are not that can't be said, after all, the news has already leaked out. That incomparably powerful Old Anomalous Being of the Long-armed Divine Ape Clan had a tuft of monkey hair pulled from his head."

Everyone present was stunned, exchanging bewildered glances before bursting into laughter. The enemy's Sacred Ape had actually been attacked? The news was indeed accurate!

Wang Xuan remained calm. He was certain that the extraordinary individuals had their own circles, were the first to know all sorts of secrets, and would only release certain information after filtering it.

In total, it took several months for this news to reach the public.

Elder Qingkong said, "By the way, there is another piece of news I can tell you. The cat in the Nine Spirits Cave has gone missing again. It looks like this. If it can be found outside, the reward will be astronomical, including four drops of Return to Truth Liquid."

The hall immediately became lively, attracting a lot of interest.

Wang Xuan secretly wiped away a bead of sweat.

"The Nine Spirits Cave is unfathomably deep and has existed for an extremely long time. Some say that a true saint resides there," an Old Peacock said.

Wang Xuan grinned inwardly, his face looking rather grim. He tried to swallow a few breaths of cold air to calm his nerves. The Nine Spirits Cave was indeed so ferocious.

"However, it seems something happened there. Saint Demise Incident is suspected to have occurred in the last era. Of course, some people say that no true saint has ever emerged from there. There was just a top-notch extraordinary person who came very close to the highest level, but failed and died when he tried to break through to the holy domain, causing a huge commotion and strange phenomena."

Wang Xuan listened silently; it was very important to him that the Old Peacock were imparting this knowledge to the younger generation.

He sighed inwardly. True Saints were indeed high above. This realm was ethereal and difficult to reach. So far, none of the living Saints he had come into contact with or heard about were there.

A young woman, however, wasn't focused on the photo. Instead, she stared at it and exclaimed, "That kitten is so beautiful, so cute, so adorable!"

A cute cat? Wang Xuan knew that this cat was a top-tier demon at the Great Perfection Heavenly Grade.

He remained calm and focused on the killing formation diagram. The little cat, no bigger than his palm, was still sealed away, but its price had actually increased, becoming much more expensive than when it first went missing.

He figured that the Nine Spirits Cave hated the cat-fishing thief to death, and the more they raised the price, the more eager they were to find out who the mastermind was.

This bounty is hard to earn, so he decided to look back and see if he could just throw the cat into the black market and sell it.

Elder Qingkong summoned them and explained some important points. After a short rest in the Immortal Realm, they would indeed be attending a grand event.

Those present were all from major sects and top-tier powerful clans, most of whom had produced extraordinary individuals, and some even possessed lineages that transcended worldly affairs. All parties attached great importance to the event.

"There will be Eternal Life Fruit Gathering, featuring fruits such as the Purple Mansion Peach of the Long-armed Divine Ape Clan, the Years Fruit of the Time Cult, the Divine Ganoderma of the Barbarian God, the Rejuvenating Returning Yang Wine Sap, and the Yin-Yang Jade Bamboo Shoots of the Black and White Bear Bamboo Garden..."

Elder Zhuo Kong rattled off a long list of Heavenly Treasures, the most exquisite treasures in this star sea, all priceless and rarely seen on ordinary days.

Each one is monopolized and planted in the most important areas of these elite groups, making them completely inaccessible to outsiders.

However, at this Eternal Life Fruit Gathering, each family can exchange fruits at the grand event, and of course, important figures are entitled to sit there and enjoy them, and will be warmly received.

"Among you, if anyone performs exceptionally well, there is a chance to be invited to a banquet and enjoy various longevity fruits." Great Elder Qing Cang also arrived. He usually had the serious demeanor of a middle-aged man, but now he was encouraging with a smile.

The group of young people were very pragmatic; they knew their place and that they had no right to sit down in that kind of setting.

The Great Elder said, "Not necessarily. The grand event will definitely give opportunities to young people and take good care of them. Otherwise, we would all have to stand there and only smell the fruit. Only extraordinary people are qualified to sit down."

"We have a chance?" Six-Eyed Golden Cicada was very happy. This rugged man was wild and started rubbing his hands together.

"Yes, you and I all have a chance." Ōchō Qing Cang nodded with a smile.

"?" Everyone was taken aback.

Only then did they realize that the so-called young people included Super Peerless like Great Elder Qing Cang!

But how old is he? How can he be so shameless?

"Before becoming an Outcast, you and I are the same, still on our journey. In our youth, we should strive hard." Great Elder Qing Cang acted as if he were still young.

Everyone was speechless; he was actually serious!

If it's true that Elder Qingkong, the Third Elder, hasn't been cultivating for very long, then the youngest of the Super Peerless on Black Peacock Sacred Mountain, is someone everyone can accept.

But the Great Elder must be at least eight thousand years old, if not nine thousand.

"What are you looking at? The Eternal Life Fruit Gathering extremely important. The fruits and wines on the jade table are the rarest and most precious items. No one would want to miss a bite. You must have the courage to compete!"

"But we can't compete with you," someone whispered.

Elder Qingkong explained, "Don't worry, there are Super Peerless circles within the Super Peerless. The Great Elder won't compete with you. Work hard, seize the opportunity, and let's encourage each other."

It's obvious that even she has to get involved!

She then went on to explain that this event was very large in scale, and included discussions and gatherings of rare treasures, making it well worth attending and sure to broaden their horizons.

Of course, Elder Qingkong also mentioned a few points for them to pay attention to.

At the grand event, one must not be ostentatious or presumptuous; everything must be done according to the Rules. Otherwise, the seemingly youthful-looking Supernatural Practitioner you might bump into could be a seasoned expert, someone you cannot afford to offend.

When disputes arise, they must be resolved through formal channels. Never resort to private fights, otherwise, if caught by those maintaining order, you may be shot dead.

"I have many friends at Black Peacock Sacred Mountain, but I also have some enemies. If you participate in this grand event, some friction or even conflict is inevitable. We may need to go down on stage to 'discuss the Dao.' You should be mentally prepared."

Elder Qingkong solemnly emphasized that this point is very important and we cannot relax our vigilance recently.

"If you yourselves are impressive enough, there are many benefits to attending the event..."

Wang Xuan understood. This was a grand ceremony similar to the Jade Pool Grand Gathering, which he had never experienced in the Mother Universe. Now, after coming to the Supernatural Central Great World, he was about to experience it for the first time.

He was looking forward to this. He recalled that when he was just a mortal, a boy, he had such aspirations, wanting to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Transcendent Immortals, ascend to the Guanghan Palace, and ride the clouds into the Jade Pool.

Overall, this was a thought I had when I was young, a very distant, ethereal, and incredibly beautiful dream, which now has the opportunity to come true.

"In a place like that, you must not be complacent. Hmm, I'm talking to you, Six-Eyed Golden Cicada! At the grand event, one girl might be able to beat five of you! Don't be unconvinced. Take An Jingqi last time, for example. What did you have to win against her? She was a person whose name was recorded in the Golden Book and Jade Scroll."

Elder Qingkong called out names, glanced at Jin Ming, and told him not to be "wild." The participants came from various races, and if they were to truly fight and compete for supremacy, it would be far more difficult than fighting the Long-armed Divine Ape Clan.

"And you, the Second King of Five Elements Mountain —Kong Xuan!"

Wang Xuan was also mentioned. At first, he didn't realize it. He had been active in the Mysterious Sea recently, identifying himself as Lu Renjia, and almost didn't realize his true identity.

"You are indeed quite good, very strong, but in case of conflict, remember, don't be so high-profile and ruthless. Constantly swinging your Wolf Tooth Club and beheading people is not a good idea. It could easily provoke top-tier True Immortals, or even undefeated True Immortals from several star domains, to duel you. Besides, there are even more powerful people out there. Remember, there are always people stronger than you, and there are always higher heavens beyond heavens!"

Elder Qingkong gave him a serious warning and instructions, which made everyone in the group look at him strangely. Now, the fearsome reputation of the Five Elements Mountain Second Great King is known throughout the entire mountain.

Even disciples of some major sects in the starry sky had heard of his exploits. After all, he was already a Red Demon back in the Meteorite Sea, having fought against disciples of the Golden Palace, the Fusion with Dao Sect, and the Weiguang Cult Sect, severing feet, cutting throats, and disemboweling... He had a group of aggrieved victims behind him!

"Don't worry, I will definitely not cause any trouble!" Wang Xuan patted his chest to assure Elder Qingkong that participating in such a grand event was his childhood dream and he would cherish it.

Elder Qingkong didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm, nor did he want to stifle the warlike "ferocious nature" of the Five Elements Mountain Second Great King. He offered a few more words of encouragement and advice, saying, "Of course, I'm not advising you to hold you back, just to take it easy a little. You must fight for what you should fight for, and you can't give up. This trip holds an immense opportunity! Let me put it this way, why would people appear even in a sect that transcends the world? They have something they are interested in and want!"

The group was moved and their spirits lifted.

They were given a hint that some opportunities do indeed require ability to obtain, but others are related to luck, and everyone will have a chance in the future.

Finally, the Great Elder concluded, saying, "Let us encourage each other. We are still young. Let us strive to do our best at this grand event. Even if we fail this time, there is always a future. I believe that we can always fulfill our dreams, and sooner or later we will have a place in the VIP section of this grand event."

Everyone was speechless again. Was the Great Elder here to help them relax and relieve stress?

"Alright, go pack your things and get ready. We'll enter the Immortal Realm at this time tomorrow!"

With a whoosh, the crowd dispersed.

The next day, the sunrise was magnificent, bathing the entire peak and the main hall in a rich golden light, making it incredibly sacred. Everyone arrived early in the morning.

"Let's set off for the Immortal Realm, and prepare to seize this great opportunity for us. At the grand gathering, we will discuss the Dao, taste the longevity fruit, and have our names inscribed in the sacred register!"

Great Elder Qing Cang and Elder Qingkong personally led the group to open the portal to the Immortal Realm on the main peak. Instantly, the light shone brightly, and countless Immortal Flying Light Rain rained down, filling the sky with an exceptionally dazzling and holy spectacle. A group of people stepped into the golden passage in an orderly fashion and headed towards the Immortal Realm.

It's the weekend, and as I've said before, I'll take a half-day break. Don't wait for Chapter 2!