Decades later.
Lu Changsheng's cave abode.
Above the dome, thunderclouds gathered.
As deafening thunderclaps rang out one after another, terrifying bolts of lightning came crashing down from the sky.
After a long while, when the final bolt of lightning faded away,
Lu Changsheng exhaled a mouthful of stale air.
The aura around him was now completely different from before.
Heavenly Immortal!
He had already reached Earth Immortal Peak. After improving his natural aptitude with the Xuanhuang Lingxue Guo, breaking through to Heavenly Immortal had come naturally.
And this time, his seclusion had brought him more than just a breakthrough to Heavenly Immortal.
At a thought, arcs of lightning flashed deep in his eyes.
It was the divine ability he had received from the Beginner's Gift Pack: Nine Heavens Thunder Eyes.
Taking advantage of the Heavenly Tribulation that accompanied his breakthrough to Heavenly Immortal, he had successfully cultivated the Nine Heavens Thunder Eyes.
All in all, this retreat had been quite fruitful.
But Lu Changsheng didn't stay happy for long.
That was because there wasn't much difference between a Heavenly Immortal and an Earth Immortal.
Although his natural aptitude had improved, given enough time, becoming a True Immortal or Mysterious Immortal wouldn't be a problem.
But the problem was that progressing through cultivation one step at a time was far too slow!
He hadn't forgotten that he and Yunxiao had made a Thousand Year Pact.
Just then, the long-silent system prompt suddenly rang out.
[Congratulations, Host, on breaking through to Heavenly Immortal. Random reward received: Indestructible Thunder God Body] [Due to the Host's increase in cultivation, relevant system permissions have been unlocked]
Lu Changsheng froze, then immediately checked his latest system reward.
The Thunder God Body seemed to be closely related to the Nine Heavens Thunder Eyes.
The difference was that the Indestructible Thunder God Body was a body-tempering divine ability.
To cultivate this divine ability, one had to temper the body with lightning.
Seeing this, Lu Changsheng couldn't help feeling speechless.
Couldn't this reward have come a little earlier? Then he could have cultivated it alongside the Nine Heavens Thunder Eyes.
Still, having it was better than nothing.
Next, he opened the system panel.
There weren't any major changes to the first half of the panel.
Lu Changsheng's gaze immediately fell on the very last section.
[New system functions unlocked: Insight, Treasure Hunting???]
The next moment, the system provided an explanation.
Insight was exactly what its name suggested.
Using this function allowed him to learn some basic information about another person.
What Lu Changsheng cared about more, though, was Treasure Hunting.
Once activated, the system would search nearby for the opportunity best suited to the Host, based on the Host's circumstances.
Opportunities included, but weren't limited to, Magic Treasures and Natural Treasures.
In short, they were all beneficial to cultivators.
This was exactly what Lu Changsheng needed right now.
Without the slightest hesitation, he activated Treasure Hunting.
A few breaths later, the system's search returned a result.
[Seven thousand li east: a Xuanling Fruit in Lingganhu is about to ripen]
The system promptly provided a detailed introduction to the Xuanling Fruit.
The Xuanling Fruit was a Natural Treasure. Not only could consuming it grant a cultivator ten thousand years of cultivation, it could also place them in a state of selfless cultivation and enhance their comprehension.
Lu Changsheng was overjoyed.
What was there to think about? He'd head straight to Lingganhu!
Kunlun Mountain, Yu Xu Palace.
One figure after another swept in from afar.
Nearly everyone there radiated the aura of a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal.
"Junior Brother, it's been hundreds of years. Your cultivation has advanced so quickly—you've probably already reached the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Middle Stage."
Guangchengzi regarded Chijingzi with a smile.
"Compared to you, Senior Brother, I still have a long way to go. You had already reached the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Middle Stage the last time you came to Yu Xu Palace."
Chijingzi cupped his hands.
"Senior Brother, aren't you now striving to break through to Daluo Golden Immortal?"
Guangchengzi let out a long sigh.
"The path of cultivation has a new realm at every step. How could becoming a Daluo Golden Immortal be so easy?"
As he spoke, Guangchengzi changed the subject and looked at Qingxu Daode Zhenjun and the others.
"How has everyone's cultivation been lately?"
The Jade Void Twelve Immortals had gathered at Yu Xu Palace again after a long time apart, so naturally, they spent some time exchanging pleasantries.
"I heard the Interception Sect has recently increased the Cultivation Resources its disciples can receive every hundred years. What are they trying to do?"
Someone suddenly brought up the Interception Sect.
"They're probably unhappy with the rumors circulating around Honghuang and want to improve their disciples' cultivation."
Hearing this, Guangchengzi and the others scoffed.
"The Interception Sect has many disciples, but other than Duobao and Yunxiao, none of them are worth mentioning."
"Even if those good-for-nothings were given more Cultivation Resources, it would still be a waste."
"Thinking they can catch up with our Chan Sect disciples is pure delusion."
As he spoke, Guangchengzi suddenly noticed something.
His gaze shifted to Huanglong Zhenren.
After staring at Huanglong Zhenren for several breaths, Guangchengzi furrowed his brow.
"Huanglong, why are you still a Golden Immortal?"
"You mustn't slack off in your cultivation, and you mustn't bring shame upon our Chan Sect!"
Everyone immediately turned to look at Huanglong Zhenren.
Huanglong Zhenren's face grew somewhat awkward.
His current Golden Immortal cultivation wasn't particularly weak.
But compared with Guangchengzi and the others in the Chan Sect, he really did fall far behind.
"I..."
Before he could finish, everyone suddenly sensed something and looked straight ahead.
A figure appeared without warning.
It was Yuanshi.
"This disciple pays respects to Master!"
Guangchengzi and the others all bowed.
Yuanshi looked at them one by one, then slowly began to speak.
"Since most of you have already attained Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, today I shall teach you the path to Daluo Golden Immortal."
At his words, almost all of them looked delighted.
For those who had attained Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, the next step was to strive for Daluo Golden Immortal.
And the Great Luo Method wasn't something one could master through good natural aptitude alone.
Of everyone present, only Huanglong Zhenren looked troubled.
He had fallen behind.
But Yuanshi clearly wasn't going to slow down for Huanglong's sake alone.
"To reach Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, one must endure the Nine Tribulations, achieve Three Flowers Gathering on the Crown, and master the Taiyi Dao Fruit. Only then can one strive for Daluo Golden Immortal."
Several hours later, Yuanshi finished his sermon.
"I shall teach the Great Luo Method up to this point for now. When you return, focus on your cultivation."
Guangchengzi and the others left one after another.
But Huanglong Zhenren showed no intention of leaving.
Yuanshi spoke calmly.
"Huanglong, is there something else?"
Huanglong Zhenren gritted his teeth, finally working up the courage to speak.
"This disciple entered the sect later than the others. I have only reached Golden Immortal, and have already fallen behind my senior brothers."
"I ask Master to give me some guidance."
Huanglong Zhenren hadn't been too worried about falling behind Guangchengzi and the others.
After all, even among the Jade Void Twelve Immortals, their natural aptitudes varied.
His Golden Immortal cultivation wasn't particularly weak.
But the news he had heard about the Interception Sect earlier had filled him with a sense of crisis.
It was fine if he couldn't compare with Guangchengzi and the others.
But if even some Outer Disciples of the Interception Sect were more powerful than he was, how could he ever establish himself in Honghuang?
So he could only ask Yuanshi for help.
Yuanshi stared at Huanglong Zhenren for a moment.
"Very well."
As he spoke, Yuanshi raised his right hand and calculated with his fingers.
A moment later, Yuanshi slowly spoke.
"Five thousand li from here lies Lingganhu. A Xuanling Fruit in the lake is about to ripen."
"Obtaining this Xuanling Fruit will help your cultivation."
Huanglong Zhenren's face lit up with joy.
"Thank you, Master!"
But Yuanshi raised his right hand and changed the subject.
"I haven't finished speaking."
"Opportunities in Honghuang go to those who are capable. Whether you can obtain the Xuanling Fruit will depend on your own fortune."
He had already pointed Huanglong Zhenren in the right direction. As for the final outcome, that was up to Huanglong himself.
"This disciple understands. I'll make preparations at once!"
Huanglong Zhenren bowed in gratitude, then left Yu Xu Palace.
Yuanshi turned toward Golden Ao Island, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.
All the Jade Void Twelve Immortals of his Chan Sect, except for Huanglong Zhenren, were striving to break through to Daluo Golden Immortal.
What did those disciples of the Interception Sect have to compare with his Chan Sect?
Before you continue