The Answer

The entire immortal kingdom consists of a super grotto-heaven and several smaller grotto-heavens.

Among them, the owners of the small grotto-heavens are all true immortals, and the sizes of the grotto-heavens they create vary.

Some of them can cover an area of hundreds of miles.

The smallest requirement is the minimum to construct a grotto-heaven – spanning ten miles.

The various large and small grotto-heavens form the core layer of the immortal kingdom, and beyond that are the sects and holy lands that depend on the immortal kingdom for their existence.

Although these holy lands and sects exist under the guise of the Immortal Kingdom, it does not mean they are weak.

Some sacred sites actually possess power stronger than grotto heavens.

After all, there have been constant battles over the years, especially in recent years when the intensity of the fighting has been constantly increasing, and quite a few true immortals have fallen in the immortal kingdom.

In contrast, those holy lands, although they did not build grotto heavens because of true immortals, have many people who have embarked on the path of divine weapons. With the power granted by divine weapons, three or five people can fight against a true immortal.

At this moment, Zhang Tianye and Gu Jinlai group of people were traveling through the air above the various caves.

As they walked, he explained, "The grotto-heaven is the foundation of an immortal master. To become an immortal master, one must first open up a grotto-heaven. Opening up a grotto-heaven requires a grotto-heaven stone, and then the essence of the five elements is used to stabilize the grotto-heaven and ensure the operation of the five elements within it. Ordinary grotto-heaven stones can only support a grotto-heaven for two or three hundred miles at most. If one wants to open up a larger grotto-heaven, one must either master a more exquisite technique for opening up a grotto-heaven or use a more precious grotto-heaven divine crystal. However, theoretically, the larger the grotto-heaven, the better. But if the grotto-heaven is too large, the difficulty for a true immortal to break through will increase exponentially."

Thinking Gu Jinlai, and their grotto-heavens...

It's less than thirty li away.

The strongest immortal kingdom of the Central Heaven Purple Light Immortal Lord seems to be only fifty-odd miles long.

This kind of grotto-heaven...

"Won't it leave behind hidden dangers, like when condensing the body of a saint?"

Gu Jinlai said, "I remember that a weak saint's body could not withstand the tribulation of lightning and complete the transformation of its own path."

"Hidden danger? I can't give you a precise answer to that, after all, the strongest person in our Immortal Kingdom right now is the Immortal Lord."

Zhang Tianye said.

"What about the Myriad Stars Sword Sect? The Myriad Stars Sword Sect should have records about the realm above Immortal Lord, that is, above Celestial Immortal."

This Gu Jinlai.

"The Myriad Stars Sword Sect..."

Zhang Tianye glanced at Gu Jinlai: "Actually, I know that the biggest difference between our Immortal Kingdom and you all lies in the Myriad Star Sword Sect. I am not trying to prove anything for the Myriad Star Sword Sect. What I want to say is that back then, our Immortal Kingdom was in endless debate about whether to fight or stay. If it weren't for the Myriad Star Sword Sect's choice, the Immortal Kingdom would probably have broken out into a civil war and split apart."

"So..."

"We know."

Zhang Tianye nodded. "We are choosing the better outcome from the worse consequences."

He then said no more, "When you meet Immortal Master Zhao, he will tell you the truth."

Those who have heard this Gu Jinlai have remained silent.

Soon, the group arrived in front of a huge cave.

This cave is so vast that you can't see the end of it at a glance.

Because the Immortal Lord Zhao Xi had merged with this grotto-heaven, when it stood on the earth, it seemed like a ferocious beast, and with every breath it seemed to release a terrifying aura that made people tremble.

It's like...

There really was a planetary-level behemoth with a diameter of thousands of miles lying on the ground, sleeping peacefully.

Once he awakens, he will unleash a world-destroying power capable of shattering stars.

"This... this is the grotto-heaven that Immortal Lord Zhao Xi merged with!?"

"This power..."

Gu Jinlai, Duanmu Chengyun, Su Xin and others behind him couldn't help but hold their breath.

Even when they faced the spiritual body of the Aries Star Lord, the creator, the visual impact was nothing compared to the super cavern before them.

"The founder of our immortal kingdom, a great being who could stop the Creator from making any progress a thousand years ago, the first Celestial Immortal Lord in the history of the Longevity Realm, the true number one person in this world!"

Zhang Tianye introduced the product with a face full of pride.

"Spanning thousands of miles of immortal kingdoms... what kind of magnificent power should be provided to that immortal lord?"

Gu Jinlai, their expressions have always been solemn.

"Buzz!"

Just then, a beam of light and shadow was projected from this super cave.

Immediately afterwards, surrounded by rainbow light, a huge palace was projected above the cave and quickly expanded.

Judging from their appearance...

It was clearly a powerful Dao artifact.

The artifact unfolded, and a beam of light condensed at the palace entrance, eventually forming an old man who looked to be around sixty years old and exuded an air of otherworldly grace.

Upon seeing this old man, even though Zhang Tianye was a True Immortal and one of the Nine Great Immortals, he immediately stepped forward and respectfully greeted him, saying, "Immortal Lord Huangtian."

Obviously!

This old man is the founder of the Immortal Kingdom, the pioneer of the path to Immortal Lord, and the number one person in the world today, the Imperial Heaven Immortal Lord Zhao Xi.

"Thank you all for your righteous assistance. It is because of your help that our immortal kingdom has been able to hold on until today."

This number one figure in the world showed no arrogance on his face, but instead wore a warm and welcoming smile. He gestured with his hand and said, "Because the Immortal Kingdom is in a critical period of nurturing the Heavenly Dao, it is inconvenient to entertain guests. I would like to ask you all to condescend to come to this palace. Please forgive me and come in."

"Immortal Lord Zhao Xi of the Heavenly Realm..."

The four peerless immortals, Duanmu Chengyun, Su Xin, Zhang Yingzhen, and Dong Xuanzi, were inexplicably a little nervous at this moment.

Throughout Gu Jinlai, their expressions have always been solemn.

The number one person in the world.

And...

Compared to other people's grottoes which are only a few dozen miles long, his grotto is over a thousand miles long.

The difference between a thousand miles and a hundred miles is a thousandfold.

Not to mention some hidden paradises less than a hundred miles away.

This alone demonstrates just how powerful this ancient being, the founder of the immortal kingdom, who has lived for countless years, truly is.

Gu Jinlai took a deep breath.

Zhao Xi's Grotto Heaven...

He was actually a little hesitant to go in.

For any immortal lord, the grotto-heaven is their own battlefield.

Their own Dao fruit and the grotto heaven merge into one, enabling them to unleash incredible power.

But outside the grotto...

"You're too kind, Immortal Master Zhao. We've disturbed you."

Gu Jinlai bowed respectfully and led the way toward the palace.

Duanmu Chengyun and the others exchanged glances and followed closely behind.

The palace itself is a Dao artifact. It is not too magnificent, but like the Aries Star Palace, it contains a rather large space.

Stepping into this Gu Jinlai, one is greeted by flowers, streams, and artificial hills, as if entering an elegant garden.

Several people were also moving around in the garden. After bowing from afar, they led Gu Jinlai and the others to their seats one by one.

Judging from how they addressed Zhao Xi, they were all Zhao Xi's disciples.

"Immortal Master Zhao".

Without much small talk, Gu Jinlai went straight to the point. "I just spoke with Zhang Tianye, the True Immortal, outside, and explained my concerns about the Myriad Stars Sword Sect. We don't want the Myriad Stars Sword Sect to jump out and deliver a fatal blow to us when we're both exhausted after we've worked so hard to defeat the Demonic Beasts' invasion from the Blood Swamp Demon Abyss."

The words, Gu Jinlai, caused Zhao Xi to pause slightly.

He looked at the group and said, "I thought that you were all willing to come and help, and that you had already figured out what was important and what was urgent."

"Does Immortal Lord Zhao agree with the others that the Immortal Kingdom made the right decision to introduce the Myriad Star Sword Sect under those circumstances?"

This Gu Jinlai.

No, I don't think so.

Zhao Xi responded directly.

Gu Jinlai paused slightly, then asked, "You don't think so?"

"Yes, I don't think my choice of the Myriad Stars Sword Sect was the right one."

Zhao Xi readily gave this unexpected answer, the most surprising one in Gu Jinlai.

He had expected that the ruler of the immortal kingdom would produce some compelling evidence in response.

But the result was...

Zhao Xi did not explain in detail, but seemed to be deep in thought.

After a long while, he said, "Does the Ancient Immortal know what the most dangerous scene I have ever encountered in my life is?"

"I would like to hear the details."

He has spoken calmly Gu Jinlai.

"The most dangerous situations I've encountered in my life have only been twice. Once, in the era of the Creator, was facing the Beast of Ruins! The second time..."

Zhao Xi paused slightly. "Just twenty-four years ago, the Battle of Bailong Gorge."

The Battle of Bailong Gorge has been heard of Gu Jinlai.

That was the most brutal battle fought in the Immortal Kingdom in nearly a hundred years. It is said that twelve True Immortals alone perished in that great battle, not to mention countless Void Immortals and Saints.

But in the end...

The Celestial Kingdom has won.

This battle established the supreme prestige of the Immortal Kingdom.

It was also because of this battle that the Demonic Beasts began to see the Immortal Kingdom as the greatest threat, and mobilized all their forces to target it.

"The Blood Abyss battlefield is actually larger than the Battle of White Dragon Gorge. However, now that we have mastered the power of spiritual energy, the situation we face is far less dire than when all the True Immortals and Void Immortals fought desperately with a do-or-die mentality during the Battle of White Dragon Gorge."

Zhao Xi said this, then calmly looked at Gu Jinlai: "So, please go and see for yourselves the Blood Abyss, see those brave men who fought and sacrificed their lives to protect our world. When you see their indomitable will, their undying courage, and their unwavering faith, you will know why I firmly believe that final victory will be on our side."

The number one person in the world smiled and said, "Because when I survived the White Dragon Gorge battlefield, when I fought alongside countless people from the Immortal Kingdom on the Blood Swamp Demon Abyss battlefield, I knew that there was nothing in this world that could make me, or make us, fear anymore."

Looking at Zhao Xi from Gu Jinlai, there was no smile.

At that moment, he vaguely understood something.

Whatever he was worried about, hesitant about, or afraid of, it didn't matter to Zhao Xi.

They don't even care.

Because the enemy will not remain indifferent because of their worries, hesitations, or fears.

Regardless of their true thoughts or whether what they are doing now is right or wrong, it doesn't matter. What matters is that someone has to step forward and do something.

Even if we're on the wrong path, we can only delay the enemy's advance...

On the contrary, he made unwarranted accusations without understanding the situation...

What stance does he represent?

When everyone is confused about the future of the world of immortality and has no choice but to fight hard and gamble desperately, who dares to say that they are absolutely right?

Even Zhao Xixian, the founder of the Immortal Kingdom and the strongest person in the world, could only steadfastly continue on the path he believed to be right.

That's all.

It is precisely because of Zhao Xi's unwavering belief in standing at the forefront and his inescapable insistence regardless of right or wrong that he has the right to criticize the world from Gu Jinlai, to judge the actions of Zhao Xi, the number one person of his time, and to say that he did something wrong here and something bad there.

If the Immortal Kingdom ultimately falls, Zhao Xi, as its leader, will surely suffer eternal damnation and become the sinner who destroys the Immortal Realm.

If the Celestial Kingdom wins in the end...

He will be a legend and a myth who walks the path of hope in the confused and turbulent era of the Immortal Realm.

This...

This is the reality currently facing the Immortal Kingdom.

This is also the only answer that the Immortal Kingdom can provide.