Friends of the Old World, All Gone!

Jiangzhou.

"Um?"

The deity, who was drawing life force from the entire Jiangzhou bubble, opened its eyes.

"Where did the brand go?"

He was confused; he had just sent the little one away, so how could he no longer sense his own mark?

The God of Plague pondered for a moment, then his will, which had descended upon this world, began to attempt to deduce and divine, his gaze icy cold.

But no matter how much you calculate, the result is vague and uncertain, or rather, it's simply impossible to predict.

He was even more astonished.

Is there any other secret hidden within that little guy?

Strange, very strange.

The God of Plague was somewhat skeptical and communicated with his [original self] in Different Dimension, infinitely far away.

God opened his eyes.

To find out where the brand has gone.

Still, nothing was gained.

Seem

The place the mark went exceeded the limits of one's own thoughts. One could vaguely sense it, but upon closer examination...?

What was obtained was chaos.

"Such a thing could actually happen in this world?"

The God of Plague muttered to himself.

What the hell is this?!

Zhang Fusheng raised an eyebrow. From his infinitely high vantage point, he could clearly see something inescapable clinging to Chen Nuanyu's will.

Like a mental imprint?

But it is far larger, more magnificent, and more expansive than a spiritual imprint.

But in Zhang Fusheng's view now,

Yet it is as insignificant as a speck of dust in the vast universe.

"Rise." The True Person stood before the Celestial Venerable and spoke softly, his gentle voice echoing throughout the Dao Palace.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of the four, First Seat struggled to his feet, panting.

"What happened?" Huang Qiuxian couldn't help but ask.

Chen Nuanyu's heart was still heavy with worry—she believed that the Heavenly Venerable was definitely above the God of Plague, but would the Heavenly Venerable show her mercy?

After briefly gathering my thoughts,

Chen Nuanyu looked with awe at the figure who seemed to have been sitting on the futon since time immemorial, seemingly in an infinitely high Dao Palace, watching the changes of the Mortal World over millions of years.

She lowered her head:

"I have been captured by the God of Plague."

The pupils of the other Fourth Seat in the seats contracted simultaneously.

The seated Celestial Venerable showed no reaction, remaining calm and composed.

Chen Nuanyu continued her narration:

"He said I was almost a Dao-proximity Physique, and that He had infused my body with a large amount of so-called divine matter."

"He made me His messenger, to control the Western Sect on His behalf, and to hunt down one of my old friends."

A deep voice echoed within the magnificent Dao Palace.

"He still has the mark of God planted in my soul; I cannot escape His control!"

"Please, Heavenly Venerable, save me!"

Chen Nuanyu was about to crawl down again.

The True Person raised his hand, stopping her movements, and calmly said:

Are you still in Jiangzhou?

"No, moments ago, the God of Plague hurled me into the heavens. I crashed through the sky and landed on a desolate wasteland."

Beside him, the five Buddhist disciples whispered:

"Is it the Waiting Area? I've heard that you can reach the Waiting Area by violently breaking through the sky in a lower-level city, but that's very difficult."

Fourth Seat Shi Zhengyuan asked curiously:

"A deity has tasked you with hunting down an old friend? First Seat, is that old friend a high-ranking member of the Western Sect?"

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Nuanyu glanced cautiously at the Heavenly Venerable who remained unresponsive before speaking:

"No, it's a little guy, but it's strange."

Chen Nuanyu asked, somewhat puzzled:

"His cultivation level isn't high, only at the Twelve Refinements, but the God of Plague said he's anchored to a scene from Different Dimension, something like... Longevity Mountain, the Heaven and Earth Five Villages Temple."

Upon hearing this, Du Mingsheng didn't react much, but the other Third Seat all changed color.

Especially Shi Zhengyuan.

He visited Five Villages Temple.

The Living Buddha has been targeted by the God of Plague?

The Old Shi alarmed. Was this the tribulation one had to endure to regain their rightful place as Living Buddha?

Beside him, Huang Qiuxian, the Third Seat immortal, spoke up:

"I know about this. The day before the God of Plague descended, he issued Divine Oracle in Jiangzhou."

He described the contents of the Divine Oracle.

The Buddhist disciple nodded in agreement.

"That's right. I also saw that huge Divine Oracle before I left Jiangzhou City, and its contents were exactly the same as what the Third Seat said."

They all fell into deep thought. Anchoring themselves in the scenery of Different Dimension was perfectly normal, but what kind of scenery could move even a deity?

Even at the cost of significant losses, Divine Oracle must be delivered the day before the Divine Descent.

Amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, everyone's mind raced.

"Heaven and Earth Five Villages Temple"

A soft, sighing sound rang out.

"Heavenly Venerable!" The five people were startled and bowed to the great being, their hearts filled with excitement.

Even the Celestial Venerable has spoken!!

In the hazy mist, the overlapping, dark universe beside the Celestial Venerable slowly rotated.

He seemed to be reminiscing, as if he were sighing softly:

"In the old world, during the prosperous age when immortals and gods held their positions, the Five Villages Temple Heaven and Earth Five Villages Temple stood apart from the world, and its master was renowned throughout all the heavens and realms."

Detached from the outside

Several people's eyebrows twitched.

The Celestial Venerable said calmly:

"The Five Villages Temple is now occupied by a little fellow who has usurped that fellow Daoist's position and calls himself the Ancestor of Land Immortals."

The Celestial Venerable chuckled softly.

The five looked at each other in bewilderment. The Ancestor of Land Immortals?

What a prestigious title!!

But how could it sound like blasphemy against the true master of Five Villages Temple in the words of the Celestial Venerable?

Furthermore, didn't the Celestial Venerable just address him as a fellow Daoist?

They unconsciously swallowed.

The Buddhist disciple couldn't help but ask:

"Heavenly Venerable One, who exactly is the true Master of Wuzhuang Temple?"

He had a ulterior motive.

Since the Celestial Venerable addresses the true master of Five Villages Temple as a fellow Daoist, wouldn't it be appropriate based on the Five Villages Temple's status?

The Buddhist disciple shrank back, feeling as if the Great Celestial Venerable had glanced at him.

It seems that my little schemes have been seen through.

He quickly lowered his head, clasped his hands together, and was about to beg the Heavenly Venerable for forgiveness when he heard the Supreme Being in the chaotic mist let out another soft sigh.

"That fellow Daoist possesses sacred titles such as '[Ruler of the World]' and 'Ancestor of Earthly Immortals.' While he may not be the most outstanding in the old world, his status is equal to that of the heavens."

"Whether it's the Three Pure Ones or Buddha Ancestor, they all stand shoulder to shoulder with him."

Although those present were unaware of the events of the past, they knew that the Three Pure Ones and the Buddha Ancestor were all moved at this moment.

The Celestial Venerable seemed to be reminiscing, his tone revealing a hint of emotion and regret.

He said slowly:

"That fellow Daoist planted a fruit tree that is truly wonderful; its taste is so delicious that one lingers there, forgetting to leave. That tree is called the Ginseng Fruit Tree."

"This tree blossoms every three thousand years, bears fruit every three thousand years, and matures every other three thousand years, yielding thirty fruits. Just smelling one of those fruits adds three hundred and sixty years to one's lifespan, and eating one grants one forty-seven thousand years of life."

"This lifespan is the Heavenly Lifespan, during which one will not be afflicted by the Three Tribulations, nor suffer the Five Decays, nor endure any calamities or hardships."

The five people held their breath and listened quietly, knowing that it seemed the Heavenly Venerable was reminiscing about someone he knew, and that the Heavenly Venerable was now talking a little more.

At this moment, you absolutely must not interrupt the Celestial Venerable!

Only

Their hearts pounded; only thirty fruits could be borne in nine thousand years!

Just one whiff adds 360 years to your life!

And it's even said to be a lifespan free from the Three Tribulations and Five Decays!

Shi Zhengyuan was somewhat dazed.

Has the Living Buddha actually chosen the sacred site of such a person?

The Celestial Venerable seemed to emerge from his reverie, gently shaking his head and sighing softly, "All is past."

Shi Zhengyuan and the others remained silent, hearing a myriad of emotions in that phrase, "All have passed away."

They were lost in thought, wondering what the past was like between the Celestial Venerable and this "Ancestor of Earthly Immortals," this "Ruler of the World."

Shall we enjoy tea and wine, play chess and discuss philosophy, all while savoring the celestial fruit that only ripens after nine thousand years?

All of this is now in the past!

The Celestial Venerable fell silent, and a brief, deathly silence descended upon the Dao Palace.

Moment.

The Buddhist disciple looked at Chen Nuanyu, hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help himself:

"First Seat, could you reveal the name of your old friend? In exchange, I might be able to offer assistance with the matter of the God of Plague."

Chen Nuanyu was silent for a moment:

"My young friend once helped me; we are destined to be together."

Suddenly, Shi Zhengyuan turned his gaze towards him.

The Buddhist disciple nodded affirmatively and said:

"Don't worry, First Seat, I won't make things difficult for you. In fact, I might even be able to offer some help to your old friend."

The other five seat attendants had varying expressions; just who was this newcomer, the fifth seat attendant?

They actually boast that they can intervene in matters involving deities?!

Chen Nuanyu exhaled a breath of stale air and arrived at the Eight Sceneries Palace. The trembling and fear in her heart had faded considerably.

She whispered:

"Fifth Seat, are you truly capable of providing assistance in the matter of the God of Plague, and will you absolutely not make things difficult for my young friend?"

The Buddhist disciple nodded affirmatively.

Just then, the True Person standing to the side of the Celestial Venerable spoke calmly:

" In the Above High Heaven, one must not lie; whatever is said must be done."

Hearing the True Person say this,

Chen Nuanyu then stepped forward, and the Buddhist disciple raised his hand knowingly.

Their hands met in the dim light, so clearly that no outsider could see them.

"So young."

As their palms touched, both the Buddhist monk and Chen Nuanyu had the same thought.

The latter then wrote a name on the former's palm.

"It's him?" The Buddhist disciple was even more surprised.

Zhang Fusheng.

He remembered this person.

Chen Nuanyu stepped back to her original position, pressed her chest, and felt her rapidly beating heart:

Regarding the matter of the God of Plague...

The Buddhist disciple awoke from his reverie and nodded, saying:

"I can indeed help you. I can sever the karmic ties between you and the God of Plague, so that for a short time, He will be unable to pursue you."

He added:

"Of course, if you can remove the mark of the God of Plague, then perhaps He will be completely unable to perceive you."

"However, this is very difficult, extremely difficult."

"The mark of a deity carries a portion of that deity's will; perhaps He is watching us right now."

Everyone was startled and instinctively turned their gaze to the Celestial Venerable sitting in the chaotic mist.

The Celestial Venerable remained silent.

The True Person spoke at this moment:

"Once inside the Eight Sceneries Palace, the inside and outside are separated, and the gods can no longer resonate with His imprint."

After a pause, the True Person's gaze fell on Chen Nuanyu:

"If you seek the help of the Heavenly Venerable..."

"A gift comes at a price."

Chen Nuanyu was overjoyed; it really could work?!

However, there is a price to pay.

What price am I willing to pay?

Thoughts turned a thousand times.

As if she had thought of something, she looked at the True Person in front of her and asked cautiously:

"The God of Plague forged my so-called Flesh and Blood Divine Body. I wonder if this can be the price I pay?"

Flesh and Blood Divine Body?

Most of the others were confused, even Shi Zhengyuan was somewhat puzzled, but the Buddhist disciple stared wide-eyed.

He sighed:

"Flesh and Blood Divine Body. It seems the God of Plague has spared no expense."

Several gazes were cast toward him, and in the hazy mist, the great Celestial Venerable pricked up His ears.

The Buddhist disciple pondered for a moment, then explained:

"The Flesh and Blood Divine Body, to be precise, is the supreme foundation personally crafted for you by the gods. With this foundation, it's equivalent to obtaining a path to heaven."

"If Martial Arts Master possesses this Flesh and Blood Divine Body, they can disregard the strength limit of 1.26 million jin. Of course, not many Martial Arts Master can reach this limit."

He clicked his tongue in amazement:

"If a Grandmaster or Great Grandmaster obtains Flesh and Blood Divine Body, they will gain the ability to 'Touch the Void'."

"That is, even the illusory objects in the divine realm can be touched."

Du Mingsheng couldn't help but ask:

"What does this mean? In the realm of gods, what illusory things could there be?"

The great Celestial Venerable silently praised—"What a good question!"

The Buddhist disciple scratched his head:

"It means that through the Illusory Scene anchored in the divine realm, one can truly touch the things corresponding to Different Dimension."

"This is something that only those at the Innate Great Realm or even the Heavenly Human Realm can barely achieve."

The Celestial Venerable's eyes widened slightly.

Under the cover of the chaotic mist, he glanced at the futon on which the person was sitting.

Hey?